406 THE GULLERV. [CHAP.XII. 



"Not but what," loquitur Gull, "I like red-letter 

 days, when we may eat meat in plenty, and even ab- 

 stinence days, when we are confined to fish and 

 laitage, better than a pure farinaceous penance, such 

 as this. Yet if we have only water-gruel, we will have 

 patience also. Water-gruel is better than even the 

 purest of air to innate the stomach. I shall still be a 

 Gull, and not quite degraded to a Chameleon. But it 

 is no matter of conscience with me ; so do not expect 

 from me more than I profess. I am a ravenous Pro- 

 testant amidst a convent of Carthusians ; and animal 

 food I will not scruple to eat, if it come in my way, 

 under whatever disguise. Therefore if your chickens, 

 your ducklings, your turkey-poults, and yourfaisandeaux, 

 disappear while they are taking their walks abroad in 

 my presence, do not blame me, but the force of appetite 

 which is in me." 



Dropping cur report of Mr. Gull's apology, it may 

 be stated that all Gulls, little and big, will, as soon as 

 they arrive at nearly a twelvemonth's age, kill and eat 

 any weaker creature that comes in their way. On this 

 account they cannot be allowed to associate with other 

 birds smaller than themselves in the aviary, but, if 

 they are not the only feathered members of the esta- 

 blishment, must have a place to themselves. And they 

 are so easily pleased that a Gullery is not hard to con- 

 trive. A pool of water, a little rockwork, a bed of 

 sand and shingle, and a few yards of turf to repose on, 

 surrounded by a light fence, and the thing is done. 

 Grotto-work is an appropriate addition to the scene, 

 and unwieldy geological specimens, or bits of ruins, 

 may be grouped in the Gullery with good effect. A 

 cave, the termination of which shall not be visible, may 



