HERRING-GULL. 
LAKU8 ARGENTATUS. 
This well-known species is to be met witli all round the shores of the British Islands ; though, as a rule, 
frequenting the sea-coast and the adjacent islands, large bodies may occasionally be seen inland. 
Unless from a supposed similarity in tints and colouring to a fresh-caught herring (a clear blue-grey 
pervading the back and a silvery white lighting up the underparts), it is somewhat unintelligible why the name 
of Herring-Gull should have been applied to this species, the Lesser Black-backed Gull being a far more frequent 
attendant on the fleets of herring-boats off our coasts during autumn, and consequently a much larger consumer 
of that flsh than Zarus argentatus. The flshermen of the Birth of Forth, however, are under the impression 
that when the birds are numerous along shore shoals of herrings are approaching the coast. I was unable to 
ascertain that these flsh formed any part of the food of the Gulls resorting to the Firth at that season ; 
indeed it was only whilst they were accompanying the fleets of boats or frequenting the harbours where the 
cargoes of fish were discharged that I noticed their prey consisted of herrings. Some years ago, while sailing 
past the Bass Rock towards the close of summer, a flock of perhaps one hundred and fifty Gulls (among which 
several adults of this species were conspicuous) was observed scattered over the ledares above the landing- 
place. One of the crew at once drew my attention to these birds, remarking that their presence at this 
season was a sure sign that herrings were in the Firth. Being anxious to ascertain, if possible, on what they 
had been feeding, I discharged both barrels of a heavy rifle at the flock, in the expectation that one might be 
struck, or that, in their alarm at the sound of the bullets, some food might be disgorged. The whole body 
sprung instantly on wing, and flapping out to sea before we could approach within range of the shoulder-gun, 
escaped wdthout a bird being obtained. On landing and examining the ledges on which they had been restino- 
it was discovered that several had thrown up the contents of their stomachs, consisting only of perfectly 
undigested grain, with a number of diminutive mussel-shells. A few days later (August 22nd, 1874) several 
immature Herring-Gulls were shot along the coast; but I was again unable to establish the fact that 
herrings had formed any portion of their diet ; at this season these birds appear to procure much of their 
food inland. 
Judging from my own observations, I should be inclined to think that the farmer rather than the "ame- 
preserver suffered from the damage caused by this species. In many northern districts complaints have been 
raised, accusing these birds of attacking the roots of turnips when other food was scarce, also of makin<> 
considerable inroads on the newly sown grain. During the seasons spent on the moors I have not seen a 
single individual captured in the vermin-traps set for the destruction of other Gulls, or observed them preying 
on either young game or eggs. In preference to the Grouse-moors in the north, these birds appear to resort 
to the cultivated tracts of land in the neighbourhood of the coasts, where, after feeding in large flocks on the 
fields, they retire to the rocks to rest. It is, however, a mistake to assert that the Herring-Gull is utterly 
blameless; on the Fern Islands I learned from the men in charge of the egging-business that should the 
