THE FIVE WORLDS OF LARIE 



Larie and his mate found much to do that spring. 

 One game that never failed to interest them was meeting 

 the ships many, many waves out at sea, and following 

 them far on their way. For on the ships were men who 

 threw away food they could not use, and the gulls 

 gathered in flocks to scramble and fight for this." Child- 

 ren on board the ships laughed merrily to see them, and 

 tossed crackers and biscuits out for the fun of watching 

 the hungry birds come close, to feed. 



Many a feast, too, the fishermen gave the gulls, when 

 they sorted the contents of their nets and threw aside 

 what they did not want. 



Besides this, Larie and his mate and their comrades 

 picnicked in high glee at certain harbors where garbage 

 was left; for gulls are thrifty folk and do not waste the 

 food of the world. 



From their feeding habits you will know that these 

 beautiful birds are scavengers, eating things which, if 

 left on the sea or shore, would make the water foul and 

 the air impure. Thus it is that Nature gives to a scav- 

 enger the duty of service to all living creatures ; and the 

 freshness of the ocean and the cleanness of the sands of 

 the shore are in part a gift of the gulls, for which we 

 should thank and protect them. 



Relish as they might musty bread and mouldy meat, 

 Larie and his mate enjoyed, too, the sport of catching 



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