64 



The Story of a Black-hcadcd Gull. 



his natural fighting instinct. lie would lower his head and 

 slowly advance at the enemy, the while he gave \ent to a 

 deep " rattling '" cry, probably a challenge or war cry. As 

 the years passed he formed other friendships, one being 

 with a Jackdaw. The two would sit on the lawn — a study in 

 balck and white. Another favourite was a Circat Black-backed 



rhnlu /•'. D,nrKt,i ynvlh. 

 " Baircd-Head '"^.Summer i'lumage. 



(luU, whom he followed abou: pacilicaKy. On one memorable 

 occasion he met his master. I had somewhat thoughtlessly 

 pLic cd a Ricliardsoji'b Skua in his run, temporarily. Fntil I 

 ixnnoved the new comer to other quarters, poor Barred Head 

 had. a rough time. Not chat they actually fought. They 

 didn't. It wasn't necessary, as the Skua completely held sway, 

 and overawed Barred Plead. The Skua would stand in a r-tiff 

 straight, uncompromising atthude, dancing on tip toe. He 

 then opened his beak wide, and let Barred Head know his 

 undiluted opinion of him. Barred Head lowered his head and 

 tlirust his neck out, while all his feathers became ruffled, and 

 an aiMusing co!loqu\ ensued. Evidently it had become a 

 slanging match, in which butli combatants "strafed," and 



