50 



I am informed that the Wild Birds Protection Act was 

 extended in the case of Lancashire to gulls in September, 1898. 



Mr. J. E. Charnley, F.Z.S., has furnished me with the 

 following information relating to the gulls of the district : — 



" With regard to Lancashire gulls, the herring gull 

 is common in flocks, particularly about Walney. It is 

 not known to breed in the county ; it feeds largely on 

 shell-fish. 



" The lesser black-backed gull is also common. 

 The great black-backed gull is much less common than 

 the last species, but is usually fairly abundant in winter. 



" The gulls of Lancashire are most abundant in the 

 Morecambe Bay area. The black-headed is the only 

 species which breeds in the county, but it is believed 

 that a few of the herring and lesser black-backed nest on 

 the borders of Lancashire and Westmoreland." 



Mr. Charnley was also kind enough to mark on the 

 accompanying chart the nesting places of gulls. 



Finally, the present brief report on the cockle beds of 

 Morecambe Bay area must not be regarded as conclusive. It 

 would appear that the cockling industry would be benefited if 

 action were taken along the following lines : — (a) Co-operation 

 among the fishermen themselves ,to restrict the output and to 

 obtain a better price for their fish.^ Sale by commission to be 

 abolished, (b) Steps might be taken to exempt all species of 

 gulls from the provision of the Wild Birds Protection Act. 

 (c) Eeduction of the use of the "jumbo" to a minimum. 



