The White-Winged Fleet 



dead on the water. I also noticed, when I first 

 visited the Cormorant island, that when the Cor- 

 morants were frightened off their nests, before 

 they would return, the Gulls settled down upon 

 their homes, and ate a number of the eggs. I have 

 already re- 

 corded the case 

 of the Frank- 

 lin's Gull plun- 

 dering the 

 Grebe's nest, 

 and it is evi- 

 dent that such 

 deeds of vio- 

 ence are a fam- 

 ily trait among 

 our beautiful 

 and interesting 

 friends. But 

 with all their 

 faults we shall continue to love them, and refrain 

 from flinging at them in cynical spirit, " handsome 

 is that handsome does." 



THE YOUNG WERE SKULKING AMONG THE WEEDS AND 

 STONES." YOUNG RING-BILLED GULL 



Among all birds, I do not know of a more 

 beautiful species than the Franklin's Rosy Gull. It 

 is of medium size, resembling Bonaparte's Gull in 

 having a black hood, as it v/ere, over the head and 

 the upper neck, with pearl-grey upper parts; but 

 the under portions, which are white, have added a 

 beautiful rosy blush. They are said to breed from 

 Dakota northward to the Arctic sea. Besides being 



157 



