BLACK-BACKED GULL AND SEALS. 85 



I have frequently found fragments of salmon 

 and different species of sea-fish on isolated rocks 

 and sandbanks in various parts of the bay ; doubt- 

 less the remains of many a repast left by the 

 seals, and duly appreciated by their grateful at- 

 tendant. The number of grilse and salmon taken 

 with the fly as well as net exhibiting severe 

 wounds from the paws and teeth of the seals, is 

 well known, but it is insignificant, compared with 

 the quantity devoured by them ; while many 

 others, again, escape for the moment, only to die 

 ultimately of these injuries, before they can ascend 

 the stream; and as, after the commencement of de- 

 composition, their bodies soon float on the surface 

 of the ocean, they furnish a plentiful supply of food 

 for this large gull, who, being unable to dive, is in 

 fact nothing better than a marine scavenger. 

 Doubtless he fully appreciates the important 

 services rendered to him by the seals, and it is 

 quite reasonable to suppose that he is not in- 

 fluenced by disinterested motives in acting as 

 their guardian angel. 



Between the red deer and his feathered friends 

 there would seem to be no such tender tie. His 

 instantaneous appreciation of any sound or 

 movement on their part, indicating the slightest 

 suspicion of approaching danger to themselves, 



