254 ‘BLACK’-HEADED GULL 
LARUS RIDIBUNDUS, Linn. ‘BLACK’- 
HEADED GULL. 
Manx, *Pirragh (Cr.), probably from the note. I have heard this 
given as Perac, Parrac, and even ‘Parrakeet.’ Cregeen 
translates ‘a species of gull, pinguin’ (szc), but it is to this 
species and the Kittiwake that the name is applied. (Cf. Se. 
Gaelic, Zarroch=Kittiwake ; Lanc., etc., Z’urnock.) 
There is no record of the breeding of this species in 
Man, though it is likely enough that when the marshes 
were most extensive colonies did exist. It is now very 
abundant upon our coast during the greater part of the 
year, though almost wholly absent during the nesting season. 
It is most common in the larger bays, as Douglas, Ramsey, 
Castletown, and Carrickey, but any small creek with a 
beach, as Garwick, Cass ny Hawin, Greenock,’ is sure to 
have its little flock or party. It settles on low rocks, 
where large numbers often spend the night, but is never 
known to alight on elevated cliffs. During the severe 
weather of 1895 when ‘ Black ’-headed Gulls haunted the 
streets of Douglas for scraps, it was very noticeable that 
they never settled on the houses as did the crag-inhabiting 
Herring Gulls which accompanied them. Like the latter 
species it comes inland, sometimes in big flocks, and 
mingling with Rooks and Lapwings, and as much of its 
food is doubtless derived from the fields as from the shores. 
During the winter months a flooded meadow is a favourite 
haunt, and the species appears in flocks or small parties on 
such meagre sheets of fresh water as our island affords. I 
have seen the dark hood assumed as early as 23rd December 
(1894, Douglas) and 26th December (1897, Scarlett). About 
1 Better ‘Grenaugh’=sunny. 
