THE GULL. 129 



is a familiar home bird, the Laughing Gull (Larus ridibun- 

 dus). so abundant and tame in Scotland, and reputed to be 

 the producer of many of the ' ' Plover's eggs ' ' of commerce. 

 This bird is, however, slightly smaller than the commoner 

 Indian one, has dark instead of light eyes, and a much 

 more noticeable distinction the longest flight-feathers, 

 forming the tip of the wing, mostly white, while in the 

 bigger bird these are chiefly black. By this the young 

 birds also may be distinguished ; in both species they are 

 much like each other, having the upper plumage more 

 brown than grey, and a broad black band at the end of the 

 tail. Moreover, their legs and bills are only coloured 

 orange, instead of the rich deep red which adorns these 

 parts in the old birds. As in all Gulls, there is no difference 

 in plumage between male and female. But, like the 

 pigeons, in which a similar equality usually exists, Gulls 

 are very demonstrative in their courtships, as may be seen 

 in the captive birds at the Alipore Zoo. The attitude 

 which the enamoured Gull apparently considers most 

 attractive is an arched neck and wings opened in front, 

 while kept close at the tips, and no doubt it does as well as 

 any other, for the whole family carry all their delicate 

 beauty of colour fully exposed, not having, like so many 

 birds, hidden charms to display. For they are better off 

 than the dwellers on land as regards enemies ; their easy, 

 lazy looking flight is yet well calculated to puzzle a hawk, 

 and their habit of flocking at their breeding places makes 

 for protection when their helpless offspring need it. Help- 

 less comparatively, that is to say, for the young Gull, al- 

 though it does not run about and find its own food like a 

 F, BC 9 



