THE GULL. 207 



Of the gulls in general, Bewick observes: 

 " The bill is strong and straight, but bent down- 

 wards at the point; the nostrils pervious, ob- 

 long and narrow, and placed in the middle. The 

 lower mandible has an angular prominence on 

 the under side, which tapers towards, and forms 

 its tip. The tongue is a little cloven. The 

 body is clothed with a great quantity of down 

 and feathers, which, together with the large head 

 and wings, give these birds an appearance of 

 bulk without a proportionate weight. The legs 

 are small, naked above the knees: feet webbed, 

 and the back toe detached, and very small." 



Gulls are found in every quarter of the world, 

 and various species frequent our native shores. 

 They are said to be a voracious race, feeding on 

 either flesh or fish in any state in which they 

 can procure it. In consequence of their nature 

 requiring so large a portion of food, they are 

 compelled to use constant exertion to obtain a 

 supply, and are almost continually on the wing, 

 or breasting -he wave in search of prey. They 

 fly vast distances, and have been met with more 

 than a hundred leagues from land. It appears 

 to be very difficult for them to procure food 

 amid the violence of tempests and hurricanes, 

 though they are still seen on the ocean, safe 

 amid the war of elements. A naturalist at Na- 



