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THE


Avicultural Magazine,


BEING THE JOURNAL OF

THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY

FOR THE STUDY OF

FOREIGN & BRITISH BIRDS

IN FREEDOM & CAPTIVITY.



Third Series. —Vol. X.—No. 11 .—All rights reserved. SEPTEMBER, 1919.



SEAGULLS.


I wonder if a great war is necessary to make one recognize the

full joy of a holiday on the Cornish .coast. The contrast between the

constant rush and strain of war work and the peace in beauty of Nature

is so great; how else can one appreciate the difference between “ on

duty ” each day in the wards at 8 a.m., and hardly stopping till

evening, and—lying on one’s back on a thyme-scented cliff, with nothing

to do but watch the Gull’s ceaseless activities, to the soothing

accompaniment of the waves breaking, and fussing, tearing, and

rending at the rocky sentinels of the coast. What a relief to watch

other things doing all the work !


People go miles and pay much money to watch an aeroplane,

but I defy anybody to produce a more wonderful exhibition of grace,

dignity, and power than a Seagull. To watch them soaring, turning,

dropping, rising, with hardly a flicker of their wings, is indeed

wonderful ; and then—the joy of being above them !


To look down on their smooth glossy backs, so trim and neat,

tapering gracefully to the small head and cruel beak ! Never think



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