240 



THE ANIMALS OF NEW ZEALAND 



the coast. The cODstant clamour of the gulls, as they fly, is a 

 striking contrast to the uniform silence of the petrels and 

 albatrosses. Sir Walter Buller says that this bird plunders the 

 oyster catcher in a very systematic manner. "Nature has fur- 

 nished the last-named bird with a long bill, with which it is 

 enabled to forage in the soft sand for blue crabs and other small 

 crustaceans. The red-billed gull is aware of this, and cultivates 

 the societ'^' of his long-billed neighbour to some advantage : he 



Red-billed Gull. 



(Meye 



dogs his steps very perseveringly, walking and flying after him, 

 and then quietly standing by till something is captured, when 

 he raises his wings and makes a dash for it. The oyster catcher 

 may succeed in flying off with his prey ; but the plunderer, being 

 swifter on the wing, pursues, overtakes, and compels a surrender. 

 The gentleman of the long bill looks gravely on while his crab is 

 being devoured ; and having seen the last of it. he gives a stifled 

 whistle, and trots off in search of another, his eager attendant 

 following suit. ' ' 



