THE SEAGULL 
when, in the first October gale, not only did 
the visitor return, tapping at the dining-room 
window for admission, as it had always done, 
but actually brought with it a young gull, 
and the two paid him a visit every autumn 
for a number of years. 
On either side of the gulls, and closely asso- 
ciated with them in habits and hi structure, 
is a group of birds equally characteristic of 
the open coast, the skuas and terns. The skuas, 
darker and more courageous birds, are fami- 
liar to those who spend their August holiday 
sea-fishing near the Land's End, where, 
particularly on days when the east wind 
brings the gannets and porpoises close inshore, 
the great skua may be seen at its favourite 
game of swooping on the gulls and making 
them disgorge or drop their launce or pilchard, 
which the bird usually retrieves before it 
reaches the water. This act of piracy has 
earned for the skua its West Country sobri- 
quet of " Jack Harry," and against so fierce 
an onslaught even the largest gull, though 
actually of heavier build than its tyrant, has 
no chance and seldom indeed seems to offer 
the feeblest resistance. These skuas rob their 
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