254 SWIMMERS. 



its insatiable hunger and delight in carnage. Though cowardly 

 towards man, before whom it abandons its young, its sway 

 among the feathered tribes is so fierce that even the different 

 species of Lestris, themselves daring pirates, give way at its 

 approach. 



In Europe the Saddle-backed Gulls breed as far south as the 

 Lundy Islands in the Bristol Channel, in England. Mr. Audu- 

 bon, who lately visited the dreary coast of Labrador, found 

 them breeding there on rocks, laying about three eggs, large, and 

 of a dirty dull brown, spotted and splashed all over with dark 

 brown. The young as soon as hatched walk about among the 

 rocks, patiently waiting the return of their parents, who supply 

 them amply with food until they become able to fly, after 

 which, as among the true rapacious birds, they are driven off 

 and abandoned to their own resources. 



This species, like others, does not attain its complete plu- 

 mage until the third year. The fuU-plumaged are dark-colored 

 birds, breeding together. The eggs and young are eatable ; 

 the latter, taken before they are able to fly, are pickled in large 

 quantities, and used in Newfoundland for winter provision. 



The Saddle-back breeds from the Bay of Fundy to high latitudes, 

 and in winter is found along the coast from Greenland to Long 

 Island, and occasionally to Virginia and South Carolina. A few 

 examples visit the Great Lakes. It is not frequently seen in the 

 harbors of New England, but on the open sea-shore is quite 

 common. 



Mr. Brewster reports that these birds have " four distinct cries : 

 a braying ha-ha-ha, a deep keow, keow, a short barking note, and 

 a long-drawn groan, very loud and decidedly impressive." 



