172 l)r Edrtionston on the Natural History of some 
fore they acquire their perfect plumage, and they are conti- 
nually changing their appearance, until this has been attained. 
The young of the black species have more of the ferruginous 
colour than the white ones, which latter, even when but a few 
weeks old, have again more of a dirty white on the belly. The 
legs of both are of a leaden colour, and the feet black, with 
white spots at the upper part of the inner web of each foot. 
The centre feathers of the tail, although longer than the others, 
do not exceed them by more than an inch and a half, while, in 
the parent bird, they are frequently more than three inches 
longer. But the form and structure of the bill, feet, and tail, 
the colour of the irides, the shape and general appearance of 
the body, and the habits and modes of life, are the same as in 
the oldest Arctic gull ; and, therefore, the Larus crepidatus can 
no longer be considered as a distinct species of gull, without 
violating the established principles of zoology. 
The Arctic gull constructs its nest in a very simple manner, 
on mossy heaths, on very exposed situations. It lays at first 
three eggs of a greyish-brown colour, spotted with brown. If 
they be taken away, it then lays two, and if plundered a second 
time it lays only one egg. When threatened with a discovery, 
it often has recourse to the stratagem which the heath-plover 
and lapwing employ, of fluttering along the ground at a dis- 
tance from the nest, in order more effectually to mislead. When, 
however, a person actually approaches the nest, it becomes very 
bold and fierce, and strikes severely with its bill and feet. In- 
deed, the Larus parasiticus is one of the boldest and most fa- 
miliar of the gull tribe. It fears no bird, or even hesitates to 
attack any animal, of whatever size, that comes too near to its 
nest. In those situations, where they breed in considerable 
numbers, no bird of prey is suffered to approach. If, either by 
accident or design, any individual of that kind be seen, the 
whole assembly attack and compel him to retire. Hence, in 
some places, as in the Island of Hascassey, where this gull is 
numerous, they become the guardians of the young lambs, 
which the people consider perfectly safe during summer ; and, 
in return for this protection, the gull enjoys the most perfect 
immunity from plunder or violence of any kind, being held in 
no less esteem than the stork is in Holland. 
