THE GULL. 231 



Some years ago, in riding with a friend on the sea- 

 shore, we espied a Gull lying motionless ^on the 

 sand, apparently dead; but as its eyes were open, 

 life was clearly not extinct. Suspecting it to be 

 a wounded bird, we alighted to examine the extent 

 and nature of the injuries it had received; but not a 

 drop of blood was to be seen, neither was a feather 

 ruffled. After having, therefore, handled it for 

 several minutes, without its evincing the slightest 

 symptoms of vitality, beyond the opening and shut- 

 ting of its eyes, we threw it into the air, when, to 

 our inconceivable surprise, the apparently dead bird 

 expanded its wings, and, tucking up its legs, flew off 

 with the utmost composure and steadiness. 



Nature has amply provided them with means for ' 

 their wandering lives. While the Cormorant is pent 

 up in his cavern, and most of the other sea-birds 

 are driven to their rocks and crags, during heavy 

 gales, it matters as little to the Gull as to the 

 Gannet, that the w r eather be fair or foul. Cold has 

 no effect upon him, provided as he is with a thick 

 coat of the softest down: light too as he is, he tops 

 and rides over the waves without an effort ; and his 

 wide wings insure him a safe conveyance from 

 every peril, save that of the gun, to which he may 

 be exposed. 



They are a very numerous tribe, differing a good 

 deal in their habits, if not in their external features. 

 The king of them all seems to be the Burgomaster, 

 (Icarus glaucus\ a name given by the Dutch, being 

 the title of their chief magistrate, to which, by his 

 conduct, he has a fair claim, for no other Gull 

 dares dispute his authority w r hen he chooses to 



