GLAUCOUS GULL.
LARDS GLAUCUS.
Tin; Glaucous Gull Is sniil by several writers to bo most numerous off the Shetland and Orkney Islands nnd
in the North Sea ; small parties ami large flocks oT birds, in various stages of plumage, are also seen at times
frequenting the seas around the Brit ish Islands.
\1\ on u experience concerning this specie-., gained from personal observation, is unfortunately somewhat
scanty. While staying at Yarmouth during the winter months, I now nod then saw a few immature birds in
the Heads and off the harbour-mouth ; ia the terrible November gale of 1*72, that continued for six days,
commencing on the 11th, I noticed three or four, in immature plumage, living about along the shore, hut
failed to obtain a shot, as they all kept too far out to sea. In somewhat liner a eat her on the 80th of October,
1S"I>, I Bred a shot from the beach near the head of the north pier, at a young bird, and it fell nearly a quarter
of a mile out at sea in the Roads. Then, driving across the wharf by the river, T happened to find the tugboat
required, and steamed out of the harbour and thoroughly searched the Roads, but failed to discover any signs
of the bird. Many years ago, while shooting in the marshes near Rulverhithe, on the Sussex coast, between
St. Leonnrds-ou-Seu aud llcvhill, I obtained a capital view of a magnificent adult in perfect plumage j the bird,
however, unfortunately passed on mil of range, living West a short distance inside Iho shingle.liauks. The
following day a specimen exactly corresponding in every respect, and perhaps the same, as 1 made a careful
examination, was brought into a bird-stutier's shop at St. Leonards-on-Sea ; this fine bird was reported to
have been shot on the broad expanse of shingle that stretches along the shore of the Channel adjoining
revensey Ixvvel.
The only Glaucous Gull 1 have so far procured was obtained near Ilickling Hroad on the 27th of November,
1871. While proceeding along the marsh-wall from lleigham Sounds towards Ilickling Broad, I caught sight of
the bird Hying along over the course of Deep Dyke, the river between the Broad and the Sounds, and immediate ly
recognized an immature Glaucous. It was evidently making lis way inland for a drink and a wash in the fresh
water, aftttf having left the opeu sea about niid-day, as hundreds of the larger Gull* are accustomed to do at this
time of year and also earlier in the season, when the large fleet of herring-boats is fishing oil' the const. As the
distance was folly sixty or seventy yards, it was doubtful whether a charge of shot from a shoulder-gun would
have much effect. Having, however, suflicienl time lu change the cartridges loaded with No. 3 shot, with w Inch
my heavy l(>-bore was charged, for some with No. 1, I lei him have both barrels, just as he came in line with us,
flapping slowly up the course of the river. It was evident in a moment that the dose I gave him had taken
effect; wavering for a second or two, he fell away towards the north, passing close over the koo|ior's house on
Whiteslca Island, and finally rising with bis last effort a few yards in the air, fell headlong into the marshes.
As my boats and punts were follow ing, the men were bailed, and the deep water in the dyke aud the small
hroad at Whileslca were soon crossed, and landing at the stage by the house we passed out by the bridge on to
the marshes beyond, aud keeping the line taken, soon delected the bird ly ing most conspicuously with its wings