491 
BLACK-HEADED GULL. 
NAT A TORES. 
LARIDJE. 
BLACK-HEADED GULL. 
Larus eidibundus. 
PLATE CXXXYI. FIGS. II. AND HI. 
Differing in its habits from the rest of the genus, 
the Black-headed Gull usually leaves the sea-shore on 
the approach of summer, and repairs inland to breed, 
frequenting, for that purpose, the margins of marshy 
grounds, or whitening with its numbers the shores of 
some of the smaller lakes or ponds. 
The most numerous colony which I have seen, occupies 
a piece of water upon the estate of Mr. Askew, at Pal- 
lingsburn, in Northumberland, where, meeting with pro¬ 
tection, they have become exceedingly numerous, and add 
an unceasing and ever varying interest to the grounds, 
which nothing else could give them \ and, though within 
a few yards of the high road, are undisturbed by its vici¬ 
nity. At most of their breeding-places they are less for¬ 
tunate, and are plundered, without mercy, of their eggs, 
which, being without that fishy taste which those of the 
sea-birds have more or less, are very good to eat, the food 
of the Black-headed Gull being, at this time of the year, 
chiefly confined to worms and slugs. When thus robbed 
of their eggs, they are induced to lay a second, or even a 
third, time ; the eggs, as Mr. Salmon informs me, decreas¬ 
ing each time in size. Of these second and third layings 
