THE SHORT-BILLED GULL. 739 
Authorities.—L. suckleyi, Lawr., Lawrence, Ann. Lyc. N. H. N. Y. VI. 
1858, 264. / Rissa septentrionalis, Lawrence, Ann. Lyc. N. H. N. Y. VI. 1858, 
265 [Auct. C. W. Richmond]. Larus brachyrhynchus, Chapman, Bull. Am. Mus. 
Noon 129; 155: 9 (1). C&s. Rho Kk. B. E. 
Specimens.—(U. of W.) Prov. B. E. 
A CERTAIN childish innocence and simplicity appears to distinguish 
these birds from the more sophisticated Herrings and Glaucous-wings. They 
are the small fry of the great gull companies which throng our borders 
in winter, allowed to share, indeed, when Petro dumps a rich load of 
restaurant waste, but expected to take a grumbling back seat when the 
supply of food is more limited. One may 
see at a glance that they are not fitted for 
competition. Their bills are not only 
shorter, but much more delicately propor- 
tioned than those of the other guils; while 
their gabbling, duck-like notes oppose a 
mild alto to the screams and high trumpet- 
ings of their larger congeners. 
Gulls of this and allied species are quick 
to appreciate the advantages of protected 
areas. Along the water front, or near 
steamers, where shooting would not be al- 
lowed, they become very bold. Short-bills, 
however, do not stand about on palings, 
piles, and roofs, as do the Glaucous-wings, 
but rest, instead, almost exclusively on the 
water. Thus, if one attempts to bait the Photo by, the Author. 
gulls with an offering of bread laid on the “HOVERING DOVES.” 
Wwhait—catlwne larser eulls: wall begin for ese a Ses OF IAS RSON-S*RERT 
line the neighboring rails and posts, craning 
their necks hungrily, or snatching exposed fragments; but the Short-bills 
will settle upon the water and draw near to the piling below, content to catch 
such crumbs as fall from the high-set table. 
Away from the city the gulls become increasingly wary, for no other 
reason than that sneaks with guns will do what the law forbids, as often 
as they think themselves safe from observation. Once a gull is killed or 
wounded, its companions hover about it with piteous cries, momentarily 
forgetful of their own danger, or indifferent to it, as they urge their fallen 
comrade to escape. This sympathetic trait is, of course, taken advantage 
of by the Fourth-of-July sportsman (?) whose only requirements are noise 
and something to shoot at. 
