2i The plants are dUstfed with, calcium arsenate twice each year 

 to control the iDluebei^ry maggot. 



3. Some fields are weeded, trat many are allowed to grow up in 

 weeds. 



Most "bluelDerry fields are situated inland and are free from gull dep- 

 redations, "but others, adjoining tidewater, may be considerably damaged. 



DAILY HABITS 01 GULLS 



Herring galls leave their roosting places about daylight and begin 

 seeking food on the water and on exposed beaches. The birds usually follow 

 fishing boats to obtain refuse fish, and when a new boat leaves the shore, 

 they begin to collect from all directions. If the tide is falling when 

 the day's fishing is over, the gulls resort to feeding on csrposed flats. 

 If the tide is rising, hundreds collect on sandy beaches or rocks and 

 ledges, usually at the mouth of a river or bay. 



TThen the tide begins to fall, numerous gulls collect near the head- 

 waters, where they feed on the animals left stranded on the exposed flats. 

 This food consists largely of sea urchins, starfishes, mollusks, prawns, 

 refuse fishes, and carrion of almost any origin. Because of their abun- 

 dance, the birds clean up this food almost as quickly as it becomes avail- 

 able; then some of them visit the blueberiy fields. The majority, however, 

 remain on the mud flats. 



As the tide rises, a steady stream of gulls driven from the flats 

 heads toward the mouth of the bay or river. By dark they have returned to 

 their roosts on the numerous islands and offshore ledges. 



C-ULLS IN BIQEBlifflY FIELDS 



Probably because of insufficient food on the tide flats, some gulls 

 desert the waters and beaches to search for food inland. Many of those 

 in Maine feed on ripe blueberries. At other points along the Atlantic 

 coast they follow the plow and devour exposed Japanese beetle and other 

 larvae. Some visit parks and school playgrounds, where thoy finish up 

 the discarded remains of lunches. 



Laboratory analysis of stomach and intestinal contents, field exam- 

 ination of regurgitations and droppings, and general observation in the 

 Maine fields show that the berry-eating habit is restricted to a small mi- 

 nority of the total gull population. Nevertheless, this minority can in- 

 flict severe damage in fields near tidewater. Losses of entire crops have 

 been reported in such situations. 



Contrary to popular belief, the chief damage does not occur early 

 in the morning or late in the evening, but from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Damage 

 may take place at any stage of the tide, but attacks are at a miniraam 

 while new feeding grounds are being uncovered as the water recedes. 



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