THE GULL. 



On various parts of the British coast this bird is con- 

 stantly found. It breeds on the ledges of rocks close 

 to the sea- shore, sometimes not far above the water. 

 Hundreds have been observed sitting on their nests in 

 an island oflF St. David's, the nests being made of sea- 

 weeds, and placed nearly together, about fourteen feet 

 from the beach. When disturbed they are very cla- 

 morous, and not much alarmed by the sportsman's gun. 

 They are frequently seen in winter, at a considerable 

 distance from the coast, and they flock with rooks in 

 the severe weather. 



The writer remembers a gentleman, well known as 

 a literary character, telling him that when a schoolboy, 

 on one part of the Irish coast, he and his companions 

 often dared one another to feats of extreme peril. 

 Among these was that of one being suspended over the 

 cliffs, by means of a rope, or if this were w^anting, by 

 pocket-handkerchiefs fastened together, in order to take 

 the eggs of the birds that build in the rocks. We 



