SILVERY GULL. 



193 



Frequent in several parts of Europe, especially on 

 the coasts of Holland and England, and apparently 

 more abundant in lower latitudes than the preceding 

 species ; it is found, however, in Sweden, Norway, 

 and Greenland. It often appears inland, in the di- 

 rection of great lakes or rivers, and lays its eggs on 

 the downs or naked rocks ; they are of a deep olive 

 colour, with several spots of black and ash, and are 

 three or four in number. 



This species feeds, like its congeners, on fish, 

 worms, insects, &c. Montagu relates of one which 

 he had alive upwards of thirteen years, and in which 

 he observed all the varieties of plumage as above 

 noticed, that when the v/eather was mild and the 

 ground moist, it was amusing to observe its method 

 of catching worms, which it performed by a perpetual 

 trampling upon the same spot, turning about in all 

 directions, and eagerly examining for those that rose 

 out of the ground, which were instantly seized, and 

 the operation of trampling recommenced. In the 

 summer it used to catch chaffers and dorbeetles. At 

 four years old it began to utter a piercing and in- 

 harmonious cry in the spring. 



v. XIII. p. I. 



13 



