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CALIFORNIA BIRD STUDIES 



force, when they actually attempt to take the egg from be- 

 neath the body of the sitting bird. 



All about the island, one may see these daintily-clad 

 creatures, wearing pinions fit for an angel 's wings, perched 

 near some incubating Murre, ready to take advantage of 

 half a chance to snatch the egg which, for widely different 

 reasons, they both value so highly. 



1 



Western Gull on Nest 



Whether the Gulls were always near starvation or 

 whether Murres' eggs are an especially delectable dainty, 

 one cannot say ; but, in view of the Gulls' insatiable appetite 

 for fare of this kind, it was surprising to observe that they 

 did not prey upon their own kind. I recall no better instance 

 in bird-life of ' ' honor among thieves. ' ' 



During the days of "egging" on the Farallones, the men 

 engaged in this questionable industry recognized the Gulls 



