330 MR. J. H. GURNEY, JUN., ON GULLS ON THE NORFOLK COAST. 
again wliile the wind comes from the north. That is the chief 
point of the present argument. When it gets into the south they 
go south, remaining meanwhile at sea if tlie wind is not a gale, or 
in the Wash, the Humber-mouth, or any smaller sheltered estuary. 
A few, however, fly inland, and may even cross England to the 
west coast. As far as I have observed, no Gulls come hack past 
(,’romer within sight of land : when their return does take place it 
is presumedly far out to sea that they fly, when going past 
Xorfolk.* 
It is only right to say that both in the Wash and Humber- 
mouth, an opinion is held (and no doubt in calm weather a 
correct one) that the Gulls follow Sprats and other fish. In investi- 
gating their movements, this must not be lost sight of as a 
secondary cause. Yet even when food is their object, it may be 
laid down as a law that the direction of the wind is the key to the 
movements of all Gulls ; though, of course, if there be only a 
very little wind its effect is nil.\ 
Although a large number of Gulls occasionally pass Cromer with 
a west wind in comparatively calm weather, it is with a westerly 
gale that the most remarkable “ passages” have been seen to occur. 
After three or four gales it is easy to see that all the Gulls have 
passed. No more come ujj from the south, and their total absence is 
as noticeable as their abundance was before. The sea-board for 
many miles, probably extending to the estuar}^ of the Thames, or 
further, has been denuded of them. 
From constant observation I feel sure that Gulls prefer flying 
against a head-wind to a beam-wind. When they fly against a 
* Here the Masters of the Hasborough Light-Vessel, Leman and Ovver, 
and Outer Dowsing, can give the Migration Committee, and others interested 
in the subject, much more information than they have done hitherto. 
t It must be borne in mind that the wind sometimes changes several times 
in a day ; often what seems to be an unaccountable course in a Gull, or other 
bird, will be found to be merely pursued for the sake of flying against a 
slight breeze which has sprung up in a fresh quarter— a point which is very 
easily overlooked by a casual observer. 
Again, it does not always follow that the clouds, if they arc high, are 
going in the same direction as the wind at 50 feet from the surface of the 
sea — the commonest height for Gulls to travel — the reverse is very often the 
case. 
