THE GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. 
381 
spot to which his shot was directed : * occasionally, too, they, 
falcon-like, strike down birds out of a flock. Bell, an observant 
shooter, once saw a gull of this species strike a wigeon from a 
flock to the water, bear down upon and make the bird its prey. 
Wigeon show great alarm when this species or the herring-gull 
comes flying towards them, and a whole flock will take wing 
in consequence. Thus are fowlers often foiled of getting 
shots when “ making up” to those birds. The diving-ducks, not 
so, timid as the wigeon, and naturally taking refuge beneath the 
surface, are less alarmed at their presence. All shooters detest 
these gulls for depriving them of shots.t The two species 
regularly frequent a portion of the beach near Belfast, called the 
Long Strand, for the purpose of feeding on the carcases of horses, 
of which it is always more or less redolent, and when so engaged 
have both been killed at the same shot.J Bead pigs and offal of all 
kinds afford them a pleasing variety of viands. Such attractions 
may account for the more than usual numbers of L. marinus in 
this bay. The manner of feeding adopted by these and other gulls 
should be mentioned. Instead of remaining perched on a carcase 
like an eagle or falcon, and tearing the flesh upwards, the gulls 
lay hold of a piece, which, if it does not at once yield to their 
* Daniel was aware of this ; in his e Rural Sports ’ it is remarked that ce the large 
black and white gulls are most expert in immediately descrying the wounded birds, 
and are so determinedly ravenous that in a very few minutes they will devour all the 
fleshy parts, such as the breast, &c., of a wild-fowl, although the punter maybe using 
all his expedition to prevent them” (vol. iii. p. 283). 
f In like manner we are told that “ to the seal this bird [L. marinus] is of essen- 
tial service. It is the custom of these animals to lie upon the rocks for hours in 
succession, and so well acquainted are the natives with their haunts that they raise 
small bulwarks to conceal their approach. This gull, however, frequently frustrates 
all these precautions by sounding the note of alarm, thereby informing the seal that 
danger is close at hand, and if the latter is not disposed to avail himself of this 
friendly intimation, they will frequently strike them on the head with their feet : 
when the seal retires into the water all further care on their part ceases, as they con- 
sider him then in a situation to protect himself ; but should he appear again within 
gunshot of the place he has left, the gnll will dart down at him, and frequently splash 
the water in his face, as if to threaten him for his temerity.” — Dunn’s ‘ Ornit. Guide 
to Orkney and Shetland,’ p. 111. 
| The adult L. marinus is difficult of access to shooters, but I have, when riding 
on the sands, approached them so nearly as to see plainly the yellow spot on the bill : 
they often disgorge before taking wing, and sometimes even when not alarmed. 
Immature birds not unfrequently come flying within range of gunshot. 
