^"'^19^4^^] Strong, Habits of the Herring Gull. 199 



Gull. The most frequent sounds are the "challenge" and the 

 "alarm" cry. A "mewing" sound is fairly common. These 

 cries all involve characteristic positions, especially the " challenge " 

 and "mew." The "challenge" seems to represent a variety of 

 emotional states but, in general, excitement. The young have a 

 characteristic squeal or chatter which is high pitched. It is used 

 in calling for food or Avith a little modification when frightened. 

 My captive gulls began to use what appeared to be a rudimentary 

 "challenge" cry in September of their first year. I have heard 

 this only a few times. 



15. Both vision and hearing are keen in the Herring Gull, as 

 appears to be the case with most birds. 



16. It has been my experience that the Herring Gull has nearly 

 as good darkness vision as man at least. During the breeding 

 season or when food is best obtained at night, this bird is very 

 active at night. My captive gulls will eat, if very hungry, when 

 there is barely light enough for me to distinguish their food. 



17. Food which is wet with solutions of either table salt or acids 

 is rejected. My birds detect the presence of these solutions even 

 when they are very weak to my taste. 



18. Meat is eaten much more readily when it is fresh. The 

 extent to which spoiled meat is tolerated varies directly with the 

 degree of hunger. 



19. It is a common practice of these birds to rinse food of un- 

 certain palatableness or when it is dirty, in water. 



20. Some evidence was obtained concerning the use of nerves 

 of general sensation in testing food. 



21. A positive reaction is shown to air currents. In a severe 

 storm, gulls leave the ground and indulge in flight manoeuvres. 



22. The Herring Gull is sensitive to extremes in temperature. 

 In very cold weather, the feet are kept protected by the plumage 

 a large portion of the time. 



23. There is a large amount of bathing, especially in hot weather. 

 In very cold weather, no water seems to be required beyond that 

 present in the food obtained. 



