SAND DUNES AND SALT MARSHES 



the summer, while in the winter the number 

 both of individuals and of species is large, and 

 there is always a chance of rare visitors from 

 the north at this season. 



While a rain or snow storm, or even a wind, 

 makes the observation of land birds difficult 

 or even impossible, the same conditions on the 

 seashore are to a certain extent favorable to 

 the bird student, because birds that habitually 

 stay out at sea may be driven to the beach, 

 or may wing their way in the storm close to 

 the dunes. 



There are two main classes of water birds 

 that can be watched from the sand dunes and 

 surrounding beaches, namely those that ob- 

 tain their food on or in the water, and those 

 that feed on the beaches. The herring gull 

 belongs to both classes, and on this account, 

 and also because it is found at all seasons of 

 the year at Ipswich, and on occasions in enor- 

 mous numbers, it deserves first place in our 

 consideration. 



Although No-Man 's-Land in Penobscot Bay, 

 over a hundred miles northeast, is the near- 

 est breeding place of the herring gull, yet 

 throughout the breeding season this bird is 

 to be found in flocks of several hundred or 



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