C 0 lAI M O N G U L 
LARUS CANUS. 
Though seldom, if ever, seen gathered into such immense flocks as the Lesser Black-hacked Gull or the Kitti- 
wake, the Common Gull is to be met with at one season or another all round our coast. In most of the southern 
and eastern counties with which I am acquainted this species is more numerous in winter, the stragglers (for 
the most part showing various immature stages) that have remained during summer being joined as autumn 
approaches by the adults and young birds of the year. Por some months tlieir favourite quarters are in the 
vicinity of the outlets of the sewers of the fashionable watering-places or about the harbour-mouths of 
seaport towns. Here, with swarms of other ravenous seafowl and at times a noisy party of Grey Crows, the 
filth and garbage that floats in the tideway is eagerly sought after, and many arc the contentions that arise over 
the more coveted portions. Gathered into large bodies on the adjacent sands, or floating quietly at sea during 
the flood, they patiently await the turn of the tide : shortly before high water they commence to show signs 
of life — first one and then another rises on wing, and after hovering for a time in the direction from which 
the anticipated feast will flow, again join the main body*. In severe frosts or when protracted storms 
have worn out the birds and rendered them careless of danger, I have frequently watched numbers flitting 
round the fishing-hoats and vessels moored alongside the quays in the harbours of the east coast ports. 
During the terrible easterly gale that broke over the coast of Norfolk early in November 1872 the Gulls 
frequenting the shore near Yarmouth suffered greatly from the severity of the buffeting they had undergone, 
large numbers being carried in a helpless condition up the river, while otliers where driven many miles into 
the country. 
Common Gulls are frequently to he met with at long distances from the coast ; during autumn and winter 
they may be seen following the plough, often in company with Rooks, or picking over any fresh-turned soil. 
On the 3rd of April, 1883, 1 remarked large numbers (all, with hut few exceptions, exhibiting the adult plumage) 
scattered over the cultivated land on the downs near the Dyke hill in Sussex ; they were busily searching 
for food, in many instances within a few yards of the road, paying little or no regard to the traffic. Unless 
driven in by gales these birds arc by no means such regular visitors as might he expected to the Norfolk broads, 
the Gulls usually seen in those flat and marshy districts being the Lesser Black-backed, the Herring-Gull, 
and wandering parties of the Black-headed. 
During summer vast numbers of this species may be noticed in various parts of the Ilighlands frequenting 
the shallows of the rivers, occasionally wading knee-deep and searching among the stones or dipping down 
here and there while on wing. Though it is probable that other prey may fall to their share while seeking for 
food in sucli spots, I am convinced that the silvery little smolts (the young of the salmon) form almost their 
sole diet. In the more northern counties I repeatedly remarked that in several instances Arctic Skuas resorted 
* I noticed during several winters that the whole of the commoner species of Gulls were represented in the flocks frequenting the Hoads off 
Yarmouth and Lowestoft, the Lesser Black-hacked and the Common Gull being usually the most numerous. 
