338 COMMON OBJECTS OF THE SHORE. 



the billow, fearless of storm, or covering, with 

 others of its tribe, the crags of the rocks in count- 

 less numbers. The prettiest species is the laughing 

 gull (Larus ridibundus], which is common on our 

 coast during winter, but leaves the sea when spring 

 returns, and wings its way inland to build its nest. 

 It is of a beautiful pearly grey colour, changing in 

 the winter season to a white, and its head is of a 

 blackish brown hue. It skims lightly over the 

 water, for like the other gulls it cannot dive, but 

 it feeds on the fishes and other marine animals 

 which come near the surface, or on the insects of 

 the most inland spot where it builds its nest; 

 and when seen at a distance, looks so like a dove, 

 that we might fancy it a messenger from some ark 

 upon the waters. Tempestuous weather is looked 

 for when the gull flies inland, and Scottish records 

 relate how when flocks of sea-gulls come in from 

 the shore, a storm from the south-east is sure to 

 follow, which being over, they will return to the 

 sea again. The gulls are restless, screaming crea- 

 tures, their song is doubtless one of joy, and 

 though we might in the woodland deem it harsh 

 and dissonant, yet its wild shrillness seems so 

 adapted to the lonely and rugged places where it 

 is heard, that it has its own music too. 



The sea-swallows are graceful creatures, too, 

 and much like our land-swallows. The common 

 Tern (Sterna Hirundo) skims in great numbers 

 over the waves which wash our southern shores, 

 and its grey wings and black-topped head are a 

 iamiliar sight. And when storms have been ra- 

 ging, and the "signs and wonders of the elements" 

 have been exhibited, and we can reach the lonely 

 cliff, to see how the ocean, whose fury has been 



