96 THE BOOK OF MIGRATORY BIRDS 



general and established laws of gravity, without making 

 use of the mechanical powers of their wings, or being 

 supported by atmospheric currents. Not only are these 

 gulls able to soar in a calm atmosphere in a direction 

 straight before them, or sideways, on outspread wings, 

 but, like the buzzard, they can also, in a manner similar 

 to theirs, soar upwards to any desired altitude. 



The gulls are able to perform their soaring movements 

 on the same plane in all phases of the weather, during the 

 most violent storm as well as in a perfect calm, pressing 

 forwards or athwartwise at the most diversified rates of 

 velocity; now skimming along with the fleetness of an 

 arrow, then merely gliding, as it were, at the slowest pace 

 imaginable. 



One is almost led to the belief that these birds must have 

 at their command some unknown means or mechanism 

 which prevents their sinking; for neither is the surface- 

 area of their wings large enough, nor are these organs 

 sufficiently concave in form, to allow of their supporting 

 the bird after the manner of a parachute. 



It has been conjectured that this upward soaring flight 

 of birds is accomplished by vibratory movements of the 

 separate feathers. But this theory has been seriously dis- 

 counted by observations carried out by eminent authorities 

 on bird-life. 



During a heavy storm these large gulls soar about at 

 heights of at least a thousand feet with the same demeanour 

 as in the most perfect calm. Direction of wind, contrary 

 or otherwise, makes no difference. At one time they may 

 be seen soaring quite slowly to and fro, at another dashing 

 with unusual haste towards some object sighted in the 

 distance; very frequently they will remain poised motion- 

 less at one spot apparently for the space of minutes. 



Herring gulls, if reared quite young, become extra- 

 ordinarily tame. 



Their nesting quarters extend from Scandinavia west- 

 wards to the Fame Islands, and onward to the central parts 



