A FIRST GLANCE AT THE BIRDS 



a curious horn upon its bill, the little gray Cassin's auklet and 

 the pigeon guillemot, a resident form that breeds on the Far- 

 allones. 



The gulls are members of the next great order — the long- 

 winged swimmers. They are all birds combining power of 

 flight with skill as swimmers, and are accordingly provided for 

 both forms of locomotion, with long, powerful wings and 

 webbed feet. Furthermore it may be noted that the hind toe 

 is either absent or very small. The jaegers are the huntsmen 

 of the sea, lithe and swift of flight, with dark-brown backs and 

 either light or dark-colored breasts. Their home is in the far 

 north cmd they are only occasional winter visitants in this 

 region. But the gulls are always with us, and during the 

 winter months are not only very abundant but also strikingly 

 tame. Indeed, they attract such general attention and interest, 

 particularly from those who travel upon the ferries, that they 

 merit special consideration. Notice the poise of head, the 

 grace of form, the flawless contour of one as it sails close 

 beside the boat, without a motion of its wings, the head turn- 

 ing now and then and the sharp eyes ever watchful for food. 

 I find that many people imagine there are but two species 

 frequenting the bay — one a dark-brownish variety, and the 

 other, white beneath and bluish gray above. In reality there 

 are eight or nine species commonly found about the bay, the 

 young or immature of which are all dark in color, and the 

 adults of all but one largely white and bluish gray. 



In attempting to distinguish the various species of gulls, 

 the novice must constantly bear in mind the fact that the differ- 

 ence between the immature and adult plumage is greater in 

 many cases than the marks which distinguish different species. 



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