406 



OF THE GULLS IN GENERAL. 



OF THE GULLS IN GENERAL. 



THKIB bill is strong, straight, and slightly hooked at the point. 

 On the under part of the lower mandible there is an angular promi- 

 nence. The nostrils are oblong and narrow, placed in the middle of 

 the bill ; and the tongue is somewhat cloven. The legs are short, and 

 naked above the knees ; and the back toe is small. 



The Gulls frequent chiefly the northern countries, and their habits 

 dift'er from those of most other water-fowl. They do not dive so much 

 as others ; but they usually feed on the gregarious species of fish and 

 their fry, which they catch near the surface of the water. When the 

 Bea is rough they come into the harbors, where they feed on worms. 

 They are exceedingly voracious; and, when terrified, throw up their 

 undigested food. By the lightness of their body, and the length of 

 their wings, they are enabled to fly with considerable rapidity. The 

 young-ones do net become of the same color with the old birds, until 

 iheir third year. The eggs are eatable, but their flesh is generaUy 

 lough and unpleasant. 



