THE GULL. 



899 



which the sailor is sure to find wherever he goes, whether 

 under the burning sun of the tropical regions, or the frozen 

 icebergs of the Arctic circle, and always bearing the same 

 restless, noisy character. They have been named, and justly 

 so, the scavengers of the sea, for nothing comes amiss to 

 their voracious appetite. Loathsome as may be the putre- 

 fying carrion left on the beach, to the Gull it is just as 

 acceptable as a meal on the finest and freshest fish. On 

 either they will gorge almost to suffocation; and in that 

 state may be taken up torpid and insensible. Some 

 years ago, in riding with a friend on the sea- shore, we 

 espied a Gull lying motionless on the sand, apparently dead ; 

 but, as its eyes were open, life was clearly not extinct. 

 Suspecting it to be a wounded bird, we alighted to examine 

 the extent and nature of the injuries it had received ; but 

 not a drop of blood was to be seen, neither was a feather 

 ruffled. Afterhaving, ^- , 



therefore, handled it 

 for several minutes, 

 without its evincing 

 the slightest symp- 

 toms of vitality, 

 beyond the opening 

 and shutting of its 

 eyes, we threw it 

 into the air, when, 

 to our inconceivable 

 surprise, the appa- 

 rently dead bird ex- 

 panded its wings, 

 and, tucking up its 

 legs, flew off with the utmost composure and steadiness. 



Nature has amply provided them with means for their 

 wandering lives. While the Cormorant is pent up in his 

 cavern, and most of the other sea-birds are driven to their 

 rocks and crags, during heavy gales, it matters as little to the 

 Gull as to the Gannet, that the weather be fair or foul. Cold 

 has no effect upon him, provided as he is with a thick coat 



The E lack-tacked Gull. 



