N e w Herring Gull taxonomy The recent editorial decision (Brit. Birds 86: 1-2) to adopt splitting Herring Gull into three species L. argentatus, L. cachinnans and L. armenicus, although in line with current trends in avian taxonomy, seems highly controversial. As discussed below, this treatment: (1) may be untenable for populations other than the west European, and (2) artificially promotes interest in differences rather t h a n similarities between the populations. While argenteus and mkhahellis behave as good species on the western coast of France (Yesou 1991), a far less clear situation is found in eastern Europe, where relationships between members of these two groups remain largely obscure. Traditionally, the yellow-legged morph breeding around the Baltic and in Scandinavia ('omissus') is subject to endless controversies. Some researchers (Glutz von Blotzheim & Bauer 1982; Cramp & Simmons 1983; Devillers 1983) linked these gulls to cachinnans rather than to argentatus, mostly on account of leg colour. Yet, except for this feature, no consistent differences have been found in morphology, biometrics and vocalisations between yellowlegged and pink-legged Herring Gulls breeding sympatrically in this region (Stegmann 1934; Vaurie 1965; Barth 1968; Mierauskas et al. 1991). Also, there is no evidence for reproductive isolation between the two morphs in the Baltic/Scandinavia area. On the contrary, widespread interbreeding has been suggested (e.g. Glutz von Blotzheim & Bauer 1982), though there are no data about mating preferences in relation to leg colour. Individuals with intermediate leg colour occur, however, not infrequently. In sum, these data