742 THE HEERMANN GULL, Hs 
: ; ng estates a ONE Se ies 
ues cite ely ig Gedieg Malle arc ues a 
that you would think it musi efent them a means of livelihood. If the log is 
large enough a dozen birds we) eead in line drifting, drifting,—whither, no 
one knows nor cares. 
The fact is, Heermene » ull is an inveterate loafer and sycophant, a — 
professional iler, Of a ee eee ee 
on islands off the cogs: of ) he comes north in June only to float and 
loaf and dream thruont (e eemainder of the season, Visit the “Bird Rocks” of 
presence, while upon » eaeky knob at one side, a white-washed club room, sit 
half a thousand bleemaenes, inpassive, haughty, silent. If you press inquiry 
they suddenly take \» wing and fill the air with low-pitched mellow cries of 
strange quality ae) sweetness, as ty make off to some distant rendezvous. 
Amd go where yoo will, at what sBason, the “Hesrasin Goll isi guiltless 
local attachment» «mm the North. » ha 
While occeymally seen during’ migrations in, the pesmes 6 of the upper 
Sound, this bird seoids the tide-fla@® and keeping to the more open 
water, or else feeding and resting Among he kelp beds. It is fond of the 
smatler fish, aed yarns its rests by Qgilgy pere. As Anthony says: “Whee 
beating ar nemmaeig 12 Cope cee fet See ee ee 
and Western Gulls secure them by gpifioakhing the shee big chron 
flying near Ge surface of the watgr, Jnakjng repeated quick dips the 
school, ‘The fish seek safety in tb dgpti& the instant anything oveurs to 
alarm then, Mat soon retyirn to the @irffice%o that the gulls by stalking them 
from the rear are enabled to approagh quit@near before the 
As soon a» the limits of the school have begat passed, the gull, rising higher in 
As the fieh all swim in one directiot in a compact mass, these tactics ; 
the gulls @ decided advantage whichfeems to be thoroly understood.” 
Whole these birds abound in theslower Sound region, it is significant that 
we saw note in passing from Neah Bay to Destruction Island in June, 1907, 
and abies tary. ge that coast in haha rap abso brent ka 
bing for the herrings which come at that season. .Tho quite rapid in fight, 
and well able to supply themselves with food, they have a curious habit of 
“sponging’ on the pelicans and large gulls. Often 4 long train of pelicans is 
seen, a8 the (ide is rising, slowly wandering round the bay, each one attended 
by one or more ef these gulls which are usually some distance behind, When- 
ever a pelican awkwardly plunges into the water and emerges with its eror- 
