234 Mr. Peabody on the 
the preceding species, but it differs from it in size 
‘and markings, as well as in its greater fearlessness of 
man. It breeds in the high northern regions. 
The Buack-Backep Guu, Larus marinus, is in- 
serted on the authority of the gentleman just men- 
tioned, who has found it in Boston harbor. It isa 
large and powerful bird, and, though shy and timid 
towards man, is very oppressive to other sea-birds. 
It devours voraciously all sorts of food except vege- 
tables, even in the last stages of decay, but young 
birds and fish are its favorite food. The fish are 
caught as it flies, and, if not too large, swallowed 
without suspending its flight. It makes great con- 
sternation among the sea-fowl, by sucking their eggs, 
without regard to the remonstrances of the owners. 
When young ducks are on the water, they seize 
them, none except the eider having courage to re- 
sist; they sometimes plunge after fish in a consider- 
able depth of water, but have no facility in diving. 
These birds, powerful as their flight is, do not go 
very far to the north to breed, nor are their breed- 
ing places found more toward the south than the 
eastern extremity of Maine. They do not go into 
the interior, except on the great lakes ; they appear 
to rejoice in the storms of the ocean, having power 
to force their way against the heaviest wind. 
The Sxua Gurr, Lestris catarractes, called by 
Linneus the cataract jager, from the manner in 
which it darts down upon its prey, is a bird belong- 
ing to high northern latitudes, but in the depth of 
