160 Gossip about Gulls. [Sess. 



One hard winter when birds were driven desperate by 

 starvation, a pair of hoodie-crows attacked Cora — I suppose 

 to get her dinner for themselves. She was equal to them 

 both, and with voice and beak she gave them battle. My 

 father watched the fight, and was gratified to see the thieves 

 driven off; and Cora, though somewhat ruffled, was able to 

 scream exultantly, " Kya-kya-kya ! " which means, " Serve 

 them right, the low thieves ! Who's afraid ? Well done 

 myself ! " 



Cora died at the age of twenty- four, which I take for 

 granted is a good age among gulls, for she had begun to 

 develop some of the characteristics of advanced years, as 

 parrots and other birds do. 



The sea-mew (herring gull) is the favourite of the tribe. 

 It remains in the Shetland Islands all the year through. It 

 is more gentle and intelligent as a pet-bird than any except 

 the kittiwake. Unfortunately Kitty is one of the mystery- 

 moved creatures that disappear with the summer and come 

 back in spring. I brought a young one with me to Edin- 

 burgh some years ago, and in a week it was as tame and 

 affectionate as possible. We fed it on fish and bread soaked 

 in milk, and it seemed thriving and happy enough ; but when 

 the autumn set in some heartbreaking vision came to Kitty 

 of far halcyon seas where wings never tire, where suns ever 

 shine, and fresh winds play with sparkling waters all the 

 time. It was a vision as overpowering, as unreasoning, and 

 as incomprehensible as " heimweh," and it killed our kitti- 

 wake in a few days. That was the last of many efforts our 

 family had made to win the best affections of a very charming 

 bird. It is true a very few kittiwakes remain over the 

 winter, but they have distinctive marks — a winter dress I 

 suppose — and are believed to be disappointed old maids or 

 sulky bachelors to whom the " vision " is not vouchsafed. 



The sea-mew has all the grace, liveliness, and demonstrative 

 ways of the kittiwake, but has much more vigour, and has no 

 migratory instinct. It will eat anything you like to give it. 

 When you have taught it to love you it will make its home 

 with you. No need to clip the sea-mew's lovely wings. 

 Though they carry it afar in search of food and pleasure, 

 they bear it back to nestle by the home it has learned to love. 



