MU. J. II. OUUNEV, JUK., ON GULLS ON THE NORFOLK CO.^ST. 331 
huani-wiiid it is eitlier a desire to follow the coast line, or to go 
somewhere to obtain food which makes them do so, and not any 
preference for that kind of wind, as some have thought. 
The different sfectes which pass. 
The commonest species to pass in these annually recurring 
journeys is the Common Gull (Laras canas) ; next in abundance 
the Herring (L. arrjentatns) and Lesser Black-backed (L. /asms) 
apparently in about equal (piantities, though from the fact that 
most of them are immature this is difficult to be sure about ; next 
the Greater Black-backed (L. marinas) ; and then, in much smaller 
numbers, the Black-headed Gull (L. ridihundns). It is quite a 
mystery why so few Black-headed Gulls should pa.ss, for on the 
whole this is for two-thirds of the year the commonest of the LarUht 
in Norfolk and Suffolk. Occasionally a few Skuas (Lestris) or 
Glaucous Giulls (L. (/laucas) are seen, but these are rare near the 
shore, though I have seen them. 
Taking the County of Norfolk as a whole the Black-headed Gull, 
which so seldom joins the bands of Laridir passing west in autumn, 
is commoner in summer than in winter, but the number which 
move south at the latter season is loss than in most migratory birds.* 
The Common Gull is really our commone.st species in winter, 
but comparatively rare in summer while the Herring Gull and 
Lesser and Greater Black-backed Gulls are commonest in Norfolk 
in autumn, and are thinly represented in summer. 
The absence of Gulls in Spring. 
In the spring, when we often have easterly winds, some may 
occasionally be observed off Cromer, Hying east ; but the number 
of Gulls at that season is as nothing compared to what are seen on 
our Norfolk coast in autumn. 
* Mr. Southwell tliiuks that our Black-headed Gulls move south, after 
their nesting operations at Seoulton, Hoveton, and Somerton Broads are 
over; a highly probable conjecture, their place being supplied in winter by 
migrants from the north. — T. Southwell, in lift. 
t That the Common Gnll should l>e comparatively rare in summer in 
Norfolk is probably due to the fact, first clearly proved by Mr. Howard 
Saunders, of its not breeiling south of Scotland, and of its summer range 
being altogether more northern than the other Gulls. 
