THE GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL 



THE GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. 



Larus marinus, Linnaeus. 

 Plate 74. 



This fine species, the largest of our British Gulls, is plentiful on certain parts 

 of our coasts and islands, and may often be seen inland. It breeds in Northern 

 Europe and Siberia, and, according to Howard Saunders' Manual, in North- 

 western France. 



In winter it wanders south to the Mediterranean, while in the New World its 

 summer quarters are in North America, whence it migrates in the cold season to 

 the southern parts of the Continent. 



The Great Black-backed Gull generally chooses for its nesting ground the level 

 grassy top of a high rocky islet in the sea, or some lower situation surrounded by 

 the waters of a loch. The nest is composed of dry grasses, sea-weed, etc., and 

 contains two or three eggs, greenish or greyish-brown in ground-colour, with 

 markings of dark brown and grey. The food is various, comprising fish, the eggs 

 and young of other birds, and offal of all kinds, while the bird often joins the 

 Raven and Hooded Crow when feasting on dead sheep or other carrion on the 

 moors. 



The wide stretch of wing, extending over five feet from tip to tip, enhances 

 the grand appearance of this Gull in flight, when its loud cackling laugh can be 

 heard afar. In character it is bold and masterful, but is usually wary and shy in 

 the presence of human beings. The sketch for the drawing in the plate was 

 obtained in the Scilly Isles, through the kindness of Mr. Dorrien-Smith. There 

 the birds are plentiful, haunting not only the inhabited islands, but also the out- 

 lying desolate rocks, where their only companions are the Cormorants, Shags, and 

 Great Grey Seals. 



THE GLAUCUS GULL. 

 Larus glaticus, O. Fabricius. 

 Plate 74. 



This large white-winged Arctic Gull sometimes visits in numbers the shores of 

 our northern islands and eastern coasts of Great Britain in winter, and often 



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