Bulletin Volume 112-114 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1921 Excerpt: ...quoted by Dresser, says that their graceful and quick evolutions in pursuit of insects "almost surpass goatsuckers." In a word, these gulls resemble terns in flight rather than the larger gulls. Fall.--Gatke (1895), at Heligoland, says: AH the gulls leave their northern breeding stations before the approach of winter In order to betake themselves to more temperate latitudes. In the case of none, however, does this movement so much partake of the nature of a true migration as in that of the present species. Long-extending flights of these pretty little birds may be seen traveling over the sea post the island at the close of September and during the first half of October. Their movements, however, are quite different from what one is accustomed to see in the case of most migrants. Companies of from 100 to 200 Individuals travel in motley throng quite low over the sea, continuously dropping to the surface to pick up food. All the time, however, they rigidly maintain their western course of flight, and speeding along with great rapidity are very soon lost to sight. Moreover, considerable quantities of these gulls, Intermingled with the larger species, are met with here all the winter months during violent westerly and northwesterly gales, when they seek a temporary shelter on the lee side of the island. While roving over the sea In all directions In search of food they execute many rapid beats with their wings. Winter.--Canon Tristram writes to Dresser (1871) that "Lams minutus abounds in winter on all the shallow lagoons of the NorthAfrican coast, especially between Tunis and Carthage, where it is extremely tame, flying and dipping after small fish like a tern." DISTRIBUTION. Breeding range.--Iceland, Northern Europe, and Asia, from Jutland...