T.ESSEll BLACK-BACKED GULL. 
3 
incredible to those who have never had an opportunity of watching a large flock of these birds gathered round 
a boat making a good haul. The numbers those robbers consume is small compared with those tliey bite and 
shake from the nets. I have repeatedly observed at least two or three thousaiid of the larger Gulls (the present 
species apj)arently numbering about ten to one) attacking the nets of a single boat when a heavy catch has 
been secured. While a pause occurs in the operations they swim in compact bodies around the buoys, eagerly 
watching for a chance ; when the capstan is again in motion and the nets, glistening with countless herrings 
like a stream of silver, come gradually in view, the whole mass at times rise on wing, and seizing hold of the 
lines in their beaks attempt to shake out the fish. The small boat is occasionqlly sent to drive off the birds, 
but if disturbed from one part of the nets they rapidly commence operations on another. After tlie l)oats have 
finished hauling, the birds are usually satisfied, resting in large bodies upon the water for the remainder of tlie 
day ; it is by no means uncommon to meet Avith a floek that extends a mile or two in length. By 9 a.m. 
the majority of the boats have their henings on l)oard : should tlie nets, however, become entangled, many 
hours are often spent in the endeavour to set them free ; such mishaps never escape the notice of the Gulls, 
thousands continually circling round or dashing doAvn to the water till the difficulty is at an end. So long 
as there is a chance of food they Avill remain in attendance. One afternoon in October 1872, we fell in 
Avith a couple of luggers from Yarmouth and Lowestoft, about twenty miles outside the Cross Sands, Avhose 
nets had been dragged into an inextricable eonfusion by a steamboat. The immense flock of Gulls, appearing 
at a distance like a SAAnrm of bees, first attracted our attention ; and the folloAving day at noon the same tAA'o 
boats AAnre again passed still engaged in recovering their damaged nets, Avitb much the same number of birds 
surrounding them. 
Eor the greater part of the information giA*en in these pages concerning the Gulls and Skuas in the North 
Sea, that is not derived from personal obseiwations, I am indebted to the brothers Thomas, masters of a couple 
of luggers sailing from the port of Yarmouth. John and Henry Thomas (generally knoAvn as “ Lucky 
Johnny ” and “ Gaby ”) AAnre sons of the noted Breydon gunner, old John Thomas, and both folloAAmd the 
same pursuit on the flats Avith great success, Johnny gaining his title from oft-repeated luck in securing 
valuable specimens. Well acquainted Avitli all species of Gulls, Skuas, and other foAvl met Avith off the banks 
in the North Sea, they invariably carried guns Avhile on the fishing-voyages, and any bird exhibiting an 
uncommon stage of plumage Avas sure to attract their attention. When hauling in the vicinity of the sands, 
if a sudden gale springs up, the creAvs often experience great risks in saving the nets, and seldom a season 
passes Avithout several boats Avith all hands being lost in the broken AAnter, owing to this eause. Many yarns 
haA^e been spun concerning the desperation AAutli aaTucIi masters, aaTio were AA'lnde or part OAAuiers, have hung 
by their nets till either all hope Avas lost or the mate or some other of the creAV had cut them adrift in time to 
get up sail and save life. On one occasion, after a voyage in Avhich he had been exposed to the buffetings of 
a protracted gale, John Tliomas gave me a most graphic account of his adventures. Utterly Avorn out by the 
continued watching, he had turned in to snatch a few minutes’ rest, Avhen roused by one of the creAV, who, 
having sighted a tremendous sea that he imagined must ovenvlielm them in their partially disabled condition, 
had rushed breathlessly doAvn, exclaiming “ Here we all go together, master ! ” Though the deck Avas 
completely SAvept, J ohnny’s lucky star was shining, even if obscured beliind a cloud, and having Aveathered 
the storm he reached Yarmouth in safety. After landing, however, Avhile undergoing the operation of shaving 
at a barber’s, his Avell-knoAvn features eompletely hidden by a copious administration of lather, he listened to a 
marvellous story of the loss of the Gorlestone lugger, of Avhich he Avas then master, related by a fisherman 
Avho declared he had seen her go down Avith all hands. 
Cromer crabs two hundred for one hundred : these, of course, are only wholesale prices. On the Brighton beach, herrings are bought by the 
salesmen at six score and eight to the hundred, and mackerel at six score and twelve. 
