A.26 DvTCHKR AKD Baily, Hadi'^s of ^//e Herr/z/o GiilL] T Oct* 



capable of, but returned to finish his work at the sound of a last 

 weak cry. A few minutes later another old bird faced the mur- 

 derer, and they cursed one another for all they were worth, but no 

 attempt was made to strike. What the relation was between the 

 three parties could not be determined, nor could it be surmised 

 why the real parent, or some neighbor, did not interfere and pre- 

 vent the tragedy. However uncommon this occurrence, it was 

 not unique, for at least six dead birds were found in various 

 places, all of about the same age, which had been dealt with in a 

 similar manner, their heads, backs and wings being bruised and 

 blood-stained. Nothing deformed or unhealthy about these birds 

 was noted and no solution can be suggested, unless it be that the 

 young birds were lost and were put to death by old birds who 

 objected to being pestered for something to eat by other people's 

 children. 



Great opportunities for the study of the habits of the adult 

 gulls were offered on Duck Island and some interesting facts 

 were observed ; among these was evidence that both the male 

 and female parents take part in the incubation of the eggs. On 

 one occasion, while photographing gulls on nests, it was noted 

 that the first bird that occupied the nest, after the camera was 

 focussed, had a number of dark feathers on its breast ; after it had 

 left the nest a bird with a pure white breast occupied it. That 

 this was a mated pair there is no reason for doubt, for they were 

 together, and both exhibited the greatest solicitude for the nest 

 and its contents. It was also observed that as the period of 

 incubation neared its end the anxiety of the parents increased in 

 a marked degree, so that it was easy to determine the stage of 

 incubation by the actions of the parents. During the last few 

 hours before the pipping or cracking of the egg the parent birds 

 were so fearless that they would leave the nest only on a near 

 approach, and while the camera was being focussed would remain 

 within a few yards, perched either on the ground or a low tree or 

 stump. Exposing the plate was always made with a bulb at a 

 distance of forty to sixty feet, and before it could be reached one 

 of the parent birds was sitting on the nest again. In such a case 

 as this it was not necessary to cover the camera at all ; on the 

 other hand, if incubation had not advanced so far, it was neces- 



