THE WESTERN GULL. 105 



the worms from the furrow close to the plowman's 

 heels. This is one of the few birds our farmers 

 have no dislike for. 



They are not birds of long flight, but always 

 may be seen along shore and in harbors. They 

 love to visit ships and dine with the ship's crew. 

 Sailors are very fond of them when in port, and 

 entice the confiding birds as visitors. 



Gulls seem very fond of the society of fisher- 

 men, on account of what their nets contain. 

 They watch for the return of the boats at day- 

 break, walking impatiently up and down the 

 sand, and flying out to meet them when the boats 

 come in sight. 



When the fishermen drag out their nets from 

 the boat's bottom, and begin to dress their catch 

 for the markets, it is then you should watch the 

 gulls! They will snatch food almost from the 

 hands of the men, and by the time the fish is all 

 cleaned, the parts to be thrown away have dis- 

 appeared. 



We stood on the beach at sunrise and tossed 

 bits of fish to the gulls. They had already break- 

 fasted and were sluggish from overeating; but the 

 sight of further supplies made them wish they 

 had room for more. 



One great, handsome bird came near and 



