196 OBSERVATIONS ON BIRDS. 



the duck by her side at five o'clock on the following 

 morning. The birds are inseparable, and agree very 

 well ; except when the duck, a very powerful bird, 

 is disposed to take a portion of the gull's food. We 

 endeavour to prevent quarrels by feeding the duck 

 with barley, which the gull will not touch ; but as 

 he will eat almost any kind of food, and eats much 

 faster than the gull, he is occasionally made to feel 

 the sharpness of her beak. They are generally 

 within a few yards of each other, whether walking 

 or resting. At the latter period, during sunshine, 

 the gull always sits in the sun, and the duck in the 

 shade, even when the ground is covered with snow. 

 There is one remarkable thing with regard to the 

 gull, that whenever she has been handled, either that 

 her wing may be cut, or on any other occasion, she, 

 on being set free, immediately goes to the water and 

 washes herself most carefully, as if she felt contami- 

 nated by the touch of any human being. 

 " I remain, my dear Sir, 

 " Yours truly, 



" GEORGE THACKERAY." 



" King's Lodge, 

 March 22nd, 1845." 



