1S92.] Mackay oil the Herring Gall. 22,^ 



Capt. Fogarty, master of the lio;htship asking him to substantiate 

 the report if true, and give me all the details he was alile. His 

 polite and full replies to all my inquiries have enabled me to 

 present the story of 'Gull Dick,' as tliis particular bird is called 

 by the crew of the lightship. The result of my investigation 

 proves beyond any reasonable doubt that the Gull in ([uestion is 

 an American Herring Gull. This particular bird is described as 

 appearing old, and not showing the same activity as other Gidls 

 of the same kind which also frequent the Pieighborhood of 

 the lightship. After it has been absent from the Hrst of April to 

 the middle of Octt)l)cr, at which times it usually departs and re- 

 turns, there are many eyes on the lightship constantly on the 

 lookout to welcome Dick back again. In iSyi tiie bird arrived 

 October 13 which makes the twentieth winter it is known to 

 have passed in this locality. In 1S90 it returned on October 5. 

 Of late the crew has considered the return of this bird problemati- 

 cal, owing to the increasing signs of age and feebleness. On the 

 bird's arrival in iSyo and 1S91 several of its wing feathers were 

 missing, but they were regained in a short time. Although the 

 Gull never comes on board the lightship it ventures very close to 

 it, much nearer than any of the other Gulls that are flying about. 

 It is known to the crew not only by this fact, but also by cer- 

 tain marks on its wings, also by its cry. It is fond of and eats 

 boiled pork or fish with voracity, preferring the former, swallow- 

 ing six or eight pieces the size of a hen's egg when hungry. If 

 not hungry and other Gulls are about at the time of its being fed, 

 it will not let them have any if it can prevent it, although not 

 wishing to partake itself, making the greatest possible fuss all 

 the while if one of the other Gulls attempts to secure an occa- 

 sional piece. On April i, 1S93, when being given its supper, 

 there were twelve or fifteen other Gulls in the immetliate neigh- 

 borhood, some of which endeavored to secure a share. One of 

 them becoming too bold to please Dick, the latter started for and 

 seized the aggressor by the neck, which resulted in the loss of 

 many feathers by the former, who was only too glad to escape 

 further punishment by an immediate retreat. Every morning at 

 sunrise, when the lights on the ship are lowered for the day, this 

 Gull is perceived coming towards the ship, from the rocks 

 (where it roosts) about two miles away, for its breakfast which 

 it always receives from the Hands of the crew. Should the bird 



