144 Dwellers of the Sea and Shore 



mals I have opened were generally filled to capacity only 

 with herring or other small fishes in various stages of 

 digestion — a circumstance, furthermore, which pre- 

 cludes the probability of death by sickness or starvation. 

 For the reason that it is commonly supposed to allure 



FOOTPRINTS OF A HERRING GULL. 



its prey within reach of its great jaws by means of a 

 dangling, baitlike organ at the end of a long modified 

 spine on its snout, it is also variously called the sea 

 angler or angler fish. 



In the confusion of tracks around the carcass on the 

 sand are to be seen those of other birds beside the 

 herring gulls. One conspicuous footprint, with deep- 



