HERRING GULL. 
499 
NA TA TORES. 
LARIDuE. 
HERRING GULL. 
Larus argentatus. 
PLATE CXL. 
The eggs of this species are so exceedingly similar to 
those of the lesser black-backed and Iceland gulls, that 
were a number of them mixed together, it would be im¬ 
possible, except in a few instances, to separate those of 
the different species. The only characteristic distinction 
which seems to mark the eggs of this species, and this 
can never be quite depended upon, is, that they are occa¬ 
sionally somewhat larger than those of the lesser black- 
backed gull, and marked with larger blotches of colour. 
In places where a choice of situation offers, the Herring 
Gull seems to prefer those ledges of rock and small patches 
of grass which sometimes occur on the face of a precipice, 
but will also make its nest upon the surface of a low, flat 
rock or grassy island; it is usually larger than that of the 
lesser black-backed gull, and composed of the same ma¬ 
terials,—rough grass with pieces of the sod and earth 
attached to them, and intermingled with bits of sea-weed. 
The Herring Gull breeds abundantly on various parts of 
our sea-coast, at Flamborough Head, on the fine cliffs of 
Sumburgh Head the southern termination of Shetland, 
on the Isle of Wight, and on the Fern Islands but very 
