Birds of Massachusetts. 233 
our coasts in winter, and is said to breed, both in the 
northern regions, and in islands near South Caro- 
lina. 
The Herrine GurL, Larus argentatus, is, accord- 
ing to Dr. Brewer, the most common species in the 
State. Audubon found them breeding at an island 
in the Bay of Fundy, where he was assured that, 
formerly, all made their nests, like other seabirds, 
on the ground ; but finding that they were often 
disturbed by intrusive visiters, they had, many of 
them, adopted the practice of building in trees, a 
reach of sagacity one would hardly have expected 
from such a quarter. "The younger ones still build 
on the earth; but, while those which are hatched 
below run about in a few days, those which are in 
the trees, do not undertake to leave their nests till 
they are able to fly. The same distinguished orni- 
thologist saw one of these birds which had taken 
avery hard shell-fish, carry it into the air and let 
it fall without effect ; it tried the experiment again, 
and yet a third time, when it succeeded; the gull, 
after each failure, carrying it higher than before. 
Much of their food consists of herrings, which they 
catch by following the shoals ; they sometimes feed 
on small birds, and suck all the eggs they can find. 
The WurrE-wiscep Gurr, Larus leucopterus, is 
inserted on the authority of Dr. Brewer, who has 
obtained it near Boston. It is not found farther 
south than New York. Its flight resembles that of 
VOL. III.—NO. 1.—II. 30 
