380 
LARIDiE. 
L. rissa in its season, and rarely of L.fuscus . Montagu remarks, 
in his * Ornithological Dictionary/ that “ they never herd with 
other gulls ” and here certainly the others rather herd with them, 
or alight where they see them stationed. Barely, I have seen 
them surrounded by gulls of other species, but these had doubt- 
less been the latest comers. Wherever the L. marinus alights to 
await the receding of the tide — and he generally selects a place 
from which the flowing waters will not drive him — he remains, 
regardless of prey, though the others may be busy feeding around 
him. They are sure, too, to fly off to the exposed beach before 
he leaves the station where he had so long remained, statue- 
like, in dignified composure. When grouped around or near him, 
I have never known this bird molest any of his weaker brethren 
of the Lancia. More than four adult individuals are seldom 
seen on a stretch of coast of from two to three miles ; immature 
birds generally appear near them on the ground, and are more nu- 
merous, but in flight do not accompany them. The most that have 
come under my notice were observed on the 18th April, 1832, 
when, within a mile and a half along the south-west of the bay, 
several appeared scattered along the shore, and in one place about 
fifteen were together in a small close flock ; outside of which a few 
dotted the beach. The number and compact body — for even two 
rarely stand very near each other — indicated their being on mi- 
gration. They are generally quite silent when seen in the manner 
described. Once, however, when on horseback and a mile distant 
from them, I was attracted by the loud and hoarse cackle of a pair, 
caused by a third individual making its appearance. It subse- 
quently alighted beside them; when, as if in anger at their 
demesne being encroached on, they took their departure, leaving 
the stranger alone. Their call, continued on wing, was so loud 
that it could certainly have been heard for fully three miles along 
the level strand. 
These gulls not only commit great havoc on wounded birds of 
all kinds, especially wigeon and other ducks, but sometimes bear 
down upon and carry them off before the shooter can reach the 
