FIRST FLIGHTS 



lake, about five miles long and three wide, called 

 Heron Lake. It is the favorite resort in the fall 

 of the beautiful Franklin's or Prairie Gull. 

 There are many thousands of them there and 

 their daily journey from the lake to gather food 

 out on the prairies is one of the most impressive 

 sights I have ever seen in bird life. 



The Gulls sleep near the center of the lake, 

 all crowded closely together. They leave before 

 sunrise. All rise at once and the air is then so 

 filled with birds that one can scarcely see across 

 the lake. Many drop back to the water, while 

 others begin their day's wanderings. Again they 

 all arise; a part take leave; those remaining re- 

 turn to the water, but within half an hour all 

 have gone. 



Some mornings they fly in one direction, on 

 others in another direction. I think that they 

 are apt to fly towards the point from which the 

 wind blows. Their favorite feeding grounds are 

 freshly plowed fields. Often they follow directly 

 behind the plow, and it is a charming sight to 

 see the snowy-plumaged birds hover over the 

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