AVES LARID^E. 2OJ 



The instant a great white larva is extracted, the Gull darts with such 

 sudden fury to seize it, that the Tern is forced to take wing, and a violent 

 chase ensues. The depredator follows close upon the Plover in all his 

 turns, screaming all the time, until the Tern, frightened or tired out, 

 drops the prize, and slopes towards the earth with a disappointed cry ; 

 instantly the pursuer's flight is checked, he hovers a moment, watching 

 the worm fall, then straight and suddenly drops himself after it, swal- 

 lows it with customary greediness, and hastens after the Teru to resume 

 his watch. 



"Many Gulls constantly hover about the Estancias to feed on the gar- 

 bage that is usually found in abundance about cattle-breeding establish- 

 ments. When a cow is slaughtered they collect in great numbers, and 

 quarrel with the domestic fowls over the offal. They are also faithful at- 

 tendants at the shepherd's hut ; and if a dead lamb remains in the fold 

 when the flock goes to pasture, they regale on its carcass in company 

 with the Chimango. Numbers of them are constantly seen soaring over 

 the low shores of the river, and, when the tide goes out, quarrel on the 

 sands over dead fish, stranded fry, or whatever animal refuse may have 

 been left. 



"The slaughter-grounds adjacent to the city are also haunted by hosts 

 of these neat and beautiful scavengers. Here numbers may be seen 

 hovering overhead, and mingling their excited cries with the bellowing of 

 thousands of wild cattle and the shouts of men at their rough work at 

 intervals, wherever a little space is afforded, dropping themselves on to 

 the ground reeking with clotted blood and entrails, greedily snatching up 

 whatever morsels they can on the instant, and yet getting no speck or 

 stain on their delicate dress of lily white and ethereal blue. 



"It is only when their food is very abundant that the Gulls move in 

 great bodies ; at other times they are seen singly or in small parties ; but 

 at night they often congregate in myriads in some large pool, where they 

 will sometimes keep up a great screaming until morning. 



"Their curiosity or anger seems greatly excited by the appearance of a 

 person on foot on the open plains ; no sooner has the Gull spied him, 

 than he sweeps toward him with a rapid flight, uttering loud indignant 

 screams, that invariably attract all its fellows within hearing. These all 

 pass and repass, hovering over the pedestrian's head, screaming all the 

 time as if highly incensed, and finally retire, joining their voices in a sort 



