THE WESTERN GULL. 



is our common Calif ornian 

 gull, our own familiar bird, which 

 the law says " you shall not kill ! " 

 just as it says "you shall not kill 

 the turkey-buzzard." 



The two birds are similar in 

 one respect: they are public bene- 

 factors. They seldom catch and kill their own 

 food. Because it is their business to "clean up 

 after other folks," they are protected at all times 

 of the 'year. 



Our sea-gulls are always on the watch for a 

 "job in the cleaning-up business." But you must 

 not think for a moment that they are doing this 

 work for our sakes, or because they care a straw 

 whether or not any place 

 looks tidy. They are think- 

 ing of their own hunger, 

 and the quickest way of 

 satisfying it after their 

 own fashion. When the 

 sea goes away from the 



103 



REFERENCE TOPICS. 



Scavengers. 

 Ocean breakers. 

 Fish-seining. 

 Oily feathers of water- 

 birds. 

 Oil-sacs and preening. 



