THE GULL. 305 



describe the Mews and Gulls under one head, as they have the 

 same generic characteristics, the only difference between them 

 being that of size. The name of Gull applies to those species 

 which are at least as large as Ducks ; that of Mew to those which 

 are smaller. 



The Gull (Larus) and the Mew are found in every country, on 

 every coast, out at sea, and sometimes even on fresh waters, lakes, 

 and rivers. These birds literally swarm on some coasts, where 

 they devour every kind of food they meet with. Fish, either fresh 

 or stale ; flesh, either fresh or decomposed ; worms ; shell-fish all 

 are alike acceptable. If these birds happen to notice the car- 

 cass of any animal, either floating on the sea or cast up on the 

 shore, it soon becomes their prey, and is speedily devoured by 

 these " Sea Yultures," as Buffon calls them. Should one of them 

 discover the remains of a dead whale, or other large oceanic 

 mammalia, it apprises the rest of the flock, and immediately they 

 all pour down upon their booty, uttering the most discordant 

 cries. They gorge themselves up to their very throats ; but their 

 stomachs soon digest the rapidly-decomposing animal diet. They 

 may also be observed in search of other prey, skimming over the 

 surface of the water, their keen eyes anxiously scanning far and 

 near for their most favourite food, young fish. 



During the breeding season they visit islands where they are 

 sure to find thousands of eggs as well as young birds. In spite 

 of the piteous shrieks of the parents and the plaintive cries of the 

 young, the whole colony is sacrificed to their gluttony ; the eggs 

 are sucked, and the scarcely-hatched young ones are devoured. 

 But, as they are always cowards, whenever these sea- vagabonds 

 notice the approach of a bird more warlike than themselves, 

 although, perhaps, much smaller, their only endeavour is to hide 

 themselves, or depart with all the celerity which their long wings 

 can give them. The mere sight of a Labbe (Stercoraria) is quite 

 sufficient to make them disgorge their food. These birds, which 

 are essentially water scavengers, are frequently very much in want 

 of food, especially during stormy weather. Nature in her good- 

 ness, however, has well enabled them to endure hunger. 



Sea Gulls and Sea Mews are found everywhere, but they are 

 most numerous on the flat and low sea-shores of the North, where 



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