CHAP. xii.J BOYISH TEICKS. 411 



as the Kittiwake and the Herring Gull ; and as the 

 birds are in immature plumage, quite unlike what they 

 will be three or four years hence, some ornithological 

 knowledge is requisite to distinguish choice from vulgar 

 birds. And the reader may be here reminded, that one 

 great point of interest in a Gullery is to watch the pro- 

 gressive changes of the plumage, year by year, as the 

 young newly-introduced birds advance towards matu- 

 rity. 



These sea-faring urchins, on their return from their 

 cruise after herring, do not quite forget the tricks they 

 have learned while afloat. Great Yarmouth is a famous 

 place for geese as well as for bloaters. Most of the 

 rope-walks that lie on the sandy plain between the 

 town and the beach are closely pastured by those useful 

 birds : and the boys, looking down from the windows 

 of the adjacent fish-offices or sail -lofts, have sometimes 

 fancied that they were again on board of the boats. 

 Mistaking the Geese for the Gulls they had been used 

 to see, they have baited a hook with bread for want of 

 fish, and have hauled up a Gander or a Goose from the 

 company of their wondering Goslings. But as the 

 neighbours, perhaps the mothers of the boys, have 

 generally been the proprietors of the ponderous game 

 thus poached, such striking and heavy arguments have 

 been employed to put an end to the practice, that it has 

 never been persevered in. But a little frolic may be 

 allowed to the youngsters. They are to be the future 

 beach-men, who, winter after winter, are to risk their 

 own lives for the rescuing of shipwrecked human beings 

 and perilled property. A large proportion of them are 

 sure not to die in their beds, but, fearless of danger to 

 themselves, will sink eventually in the struggle with 



