214 
BRITISH BIRDS. 
HERRING GULL. 
{^Larus fufcuSf Lin .-— Gotland In manteau gns-hrun, ou k 
Bourgmejlre, Buff. ) 
The weight of this bird exceeds thirty ounces; 
the length is about twenty-three inches, and the 
breadth fifty-two. The fpot on the angular knob 
of the under mandible is deep orange ; the reft of 
the bill yellow : irides pale yellow ; edges of the 
eye-lids red. The back and wing coverts are of a 
dark bluiih alh-colour ; the firft five quills in moft 
fpecimens are black on the upper parts, and have 
each a roundifh white fpot on the outer webs near 
the tips ; others are marked differently on the quills : 
legs pale flefh colour. The back and wings of 
fome of this fpecies, which are fuppofed to be the 
young not arrived at full plumage, are afli-colour- 
ed, fpotted with brown : the old ones are faid to 
turn quite white. 
The haunts, manners, and habits, as well as the 
general appearance of this Gull, are very fimilar to 
thofe of the preceding fpecies, but this is much more 
common on the Britifh fhores : they make their 
nefts of dry grafs on the projecting ledges of the 
rocks, and lay three eggs of a dull whitifli colour, 
fpotted with black. They have obtained their name 
from purfuing the fiioals of herrings, and preying 
upon thofe fifli. Fifliermen defcribe them as the 
