COUNTRY LIFE
Grouse and Gull Keepers of grouse moors and pursuers of the red grouse are not a little concerned with the ravages of gulls, and will be interested in a particular experience on a Yorkshire moor. A poultry keeper, in the habit of incubating a .great many chicks, was in difficulties over the disposal of the unfertile eggs. He decided eventually to throw them out on the moor. Gulls, whose intelligence department seems to be particularly good, at once discovered the dump and fell upon the rotten eggs. This was excellent scavenging ; but it had its subsequent drawbacks. The gulls were attracted to that moor in great quantity ; and when they could not find bad hens' eggs they sought—and found—good grouse eggs. The moor lost the better part of its bird population. It is the general experience that the herring gull, which is a favourite at most seaside places on the West Coast (especially Llandudno and about the Great Orme's Head) is almost if not quite as pernicious a birds-nester as the great black-backed itself. This latter bird has been joining the foxes in West Ireland and attacking even young lambs.
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