THE SEA-BIRDS. 379 
upon him; the terrified gull either lets go his hold, or disgorges 
the fish, which is caught long before it reaches the sea by the 
marauder. 
Audubon one day observed a frigate which had just carried 
off rather a large fish from a sea-swallow. The bird was carrying 
AN ARCTIC GULL IN PURSUIT. 
his victim cross-ways in his beak. He threw it into the air, in 
order that he might swallow it head foremost ; as it fell, he caught 
it, but by the tail. Three times he threw it, and each time caught 
it again by the tail, the weight of the head always causing 
that end to descend foremost. Once more the attempt was 
made, and this time perseverance rewarded the robber, and he 
swallowed his booty. 
