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AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY 



THE HERRING GULL 



Coursing swiftly o'er the waters, 



Watching for his prey below him, 



Flies great Larus argentatus. 



Flies the Heiring Gull so proudly. 



Now he settles on the wave-tops. 



Calling oft' to his companions. 



Calling softly to himself now. 



Calling loudly to the swift wind. 



On the bay and rivers living, 



Neither fears he man nor powder; 



Soars he now, nor moves his great wings; 



Stained their tips with dark cold water, 



Where they touched it in their beating. 



In the winter, still undaunted, 



Gathers he with all his kinsman, 



Into crowds on frozen river. 



On the ponds and on the great lakes. 



Braving gale and coldest blizzard. 



Scorning cold and wind with brave heart. 



True child he of storm and winter. 



Going north when first the spring comes; 



North among the cliffs and icebergs, 



There to raise his young in safety. 



All admiring do we see him. 



Flying high above man's kingdom, 



Free to roam among the great clouds; 



The one sphere by man unconquered. 



May he e'er fly, unmolested. 



O'er our ice clad ponds and rivers. 



O'er our lakes and frozen waters. 



— Guy Emerson. 



