File:Coloured illustrations of British birds, and their eggs (1842) (14753361114).jpg

Identifier: colouredillustra71meye (find matches)
Title: Coloured illustrations of British birds, and their eggs
Year: 1842 (1840s)
Authors: Meyer, H. L. (Henry Leonard), d. 1864 Meyer, H. L. (Henry Leonard), d. 1864. Illustrations of British birds Rutter, Daniel, former owner. DSI Rolle, Mark, former owner. DSI S. & J. Bentley, Wilson & Fley, printer S. & J. Bentley and Henry Fley, printer
Subjects: Birds Birds Birds Taxidermists Birds
Publisher: London : G.W. Nickisson
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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Text Appearing Before Image:
S FUSCUS. The present species is indigenous in Great Britain, fre-quenting most parts of the English coast, but more numerousin some parts than in others. Ornithologists of latter daysdiffer respecting the locality preferred by this bird duringthe breeding season ; but we have great reason to believethat all are in the right, and that their several observationshave been made principally in their own immediate neigh-bourhood, and that the Lesser Black-backed Gull frequentsall situations equally, for the purpose of breeding. The geographical distribution of the Lesser Black-backedGull extends principally over Europe and America. Greatnumbers seem to frequent the coast of Norway; it iscommon in the Hebrides, and in the Orkney and Shetlandgroups. In Holland, France, and the adjacent shores itis well known ; and numerous on the Red Sea and theMediterranean. In America it frequents the northern parts,and extends as far south as Carolina. The present species breeds either on the rocks, or in
Text Appearing After Image:
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. 163 the clowns among the sand. It makes a nest of grass,carelessly heaped up, and in it deposits three or four eggs,as represented in our Plate. The parent birds are very much attached to their young,and will defend them to the utmost in their power, andlike the preceding species will not suffer any intrusion intheir immediate neighbourhood, either from strangers, orimmature birds of their own species until the nestlingsare fully fledged. The food of the Lesser Black-backed Gull consistsprincipally of fish and other marine animal food ; it isalso seen to frequent pastures or fresh ploughed groundnear the sea, searching for worms and other insects, andtheir larvee. In confinement this bird thrives well, and becomes soontame; feeding on worms, raw meat, and offal; here wemust once more repeat the advice that a plentiful supplyof clean water must be given to it, and its place of con-finement must be kept clean. The flight of this species is much the same as that

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