166 THE INHABITANTS OF THE SEA. 
splashing towards the crest of the wave, to get hold of the object 
of their pursuit, while others are seen every now and then diving, 
and reappearing with a fish in their bill. Sometimes the more 
powerful sea-hawk interrupts their pleasure, pounces upon the 
robbers, and scatters the screaming band. 
Many different species of gulls inhabit the northern shores, 
and various are the places which they choose for breeding. 
The Kittiwake or Tarrock (Larus tridactylus), one of the com- 
monest sea-birds in Greenland, Iceland, the Feroés and the 
Scotch islands, builds its sea-weed nest on the highest and most 
inaccessible rocks. According to Faber (Prodromus of Ice- 
landic Ornithology), its swarms are so numerous on Grimsoe, 
that they darken the sun when they fly, deafen the ear when 
they scream, and deck the green-capped rocks with a white 
covering when they breed. 
In the famous “ bird-city” at the north point of Sylt, the Silvery 
or Herring-gull plays a prominent 
part. Its great size, equal to that 
of the raven, but with much longer 
wings—its agreeable form, its pure 
white plumage, of metallic brilliancy 
on the back, gradually melting into 
light ash-blue; the velvet-black ends 
of the wings, with snowy feather tips, 
the lovely yellow eye, and the deep 
yellow beak, with its coral-red spot, all this together forms a beau- 
tiful picture. ‘There we stood,” says 
Naumann, “surrounded by thou- 
sands, that partly hovered close 
over our heads, uttering their shrill 
screams, partly stood before us in 
pairs; some on their nests, the 
males keeping guard, some sleep- 
ing on one leg, and others leisurely 
stretching themselves. In one 
Herring Gull (Young), 
H Gull, or Silvery Gull 
Sard One ae word, one hardly knew what most 
to admire, the uncommon cleanli- 
ness and beauty of their plumage, the great variety and elegance 
of their attitudes, their tameness, or the immense numbers 
collected in so small a space.” 
