HABITS OF THE HERRING GULL—STRONG. 499 
mouth where trigeminal nerve endings occur is first used in testing 
food. It is quite probable that the salt solution adhering to the piece 
of liver did not stimulate the trigeminal nerve endings of the bird in 
the experiment and so was swallowed, with a consequent strong stim- 
ulation of taste endings as the food slipped into the gullet. I have 
made similar observations on this behavior of my gulls when given 
uncertain food, on a number of occasions. It is not improbable that 
mutual relations of stimuli exist between the general sensation of the 
mouth region and either smell or taste, or between all three. Read- 
ers who may be interested in the physiology of the beak region are 
referred to Edinger’s! suggestions. 
Gulls regularly show a positive reaction to strong air currents; 
that is, they face a heavy wind whether standing or swimming and 
usually when flying. This reaction is illustrated in plate 9, figure 1, 
where an adult and a number of juvenals are seen facing a heavy 
wind. Rain was falling when the picture was taken. 
When the wind is exceptionally heavy, especially if rain is falling, 
gulls are commonly seen flying, and they face the wind a large part 
of the time. During an exceedingly violent storm which occurred in 
the early afternoon of July 15, 1911, when I was on one of the Sister 
Islands, all of the gulls able to fly took to the air. Their flight ma- 
neuvers were similar to those which gulls so often show over a beach 
during a gale at other times of the year. It is obviously more con- 
venient to face a heavy wind, as the bird’s body is adapted to meeting 
air currents head on with little horizontal resistance. 
Extremes of temperature apparently give gulls considerable dis- 
tress. On a hot day the brooding gull pants a great deal, even when 
perfectly quiet on the nest. 
Young gulls, especially if excited, pant constantly when the tem- 
perature is as high as 90° F. (P1.9, fig. 2.) My captive gulls be- 
came very uncomfortable, apparently, and panted a great deal after 
taking only a few short flights of several yards each in their inclosure 
on a hot day. At such times they seek water and, if undisturbed, 
indulge in much bathing. 
In zero weather (Fahrenheit) my captive gulls, though well fed and 
fat, appeared to suffer from cold, especially after eating cold food. 
When the ground was covered with snow or ice in zero weather, the 
gulls squatted upon their feet, apparently to keep them protected 
by their plumage. They rarely stood up at such times except when 
disturbed or to obtain food. They also showed their sensitiveness 
to cold by shivering, although probably in perfect health. Wild gulls 
with abundant opportunities for flying apparently keep warm by 
and Psych., vol. 18, 1908, No. 5, pp. 437-457. 
Also see Vorlesungen tiber den Bau der nervésen Zentralorgane des Menschen und der Tiere. Bd. 2. 
Aufl, 7, 1908 (or a still later edition). Leipzig, F.C. W. Vogel. : 
