A PLEA FOR THE SEA GULLS. 137 



more tame and confiding by parental instincts and long 

 immunity from molestation, fall easy victims, and the 

 sea is covered with dead and dying Gulls. Men come 

 from inland towns to join in the carnage, and the 

 slaughter goes on until scarcely a bird is left on the 

 coast all have either been shot down or gone out to 

 sea to escape their mortal enemies, the agents of the 

 milliners and the high priests of women's caprice. 



We have yet only glanced at the ornamental side of 

 the Sea Gull's life ; now let us view it from a useful 

 standpoint. The Gull is one of the fisherman's best 

 friends. It never fails to point out to him the where- 

 abouts of the fish shoals, and he is thus able to fill his 

 nets simply through paying attention to the movements 

 of the birds. Gulls feed largely on fish, and follow the 

 shoals for days and days together. They are also in a 

 great measure the scavengers of the ocean, and pick up 

 refuse of all kinds floating on the surface. The Gull is 

 also a staunch friend of the farmer, and many species, 

 especially the Black-headed and Common Gulls, feed 

 largely on worms and grubs, following the plough with 

 as much perseverance as the Rooks themselves. As 

 storm warnings and weather guides the Gulls are 

 invaluable to the sailor. We saw the sea in its summer 

 aspect, when all was calm and eloquent of peace ; but 

 let us visit it when the waves run mountains high, and 

 the tempest sweeps across its surface with relentless 



