CHAPTER IV 



LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS 



Gulls and Terns belong to one family; about forty species 

 of the one hundred known are found in North America. 



Gulls are maritime and pelagic, though some are found 

 inland. Gulls are larger and stronger than terns, though 

 less graceful and active on the wing. The bills point for- 

 ward and not downward in flight. They get food largely 

 by skimming it from the surface of the water, or take it 

 from the land, and do not plunge for it, as do the terns. 

 They are largely scavengers, though some feed on small 

 mammals and eggs and the young of other birds. Better 

 swimmers than the terns, they spend more time resting on 

 the water; they nest in colonies, usually on ground, some- 

 times on rocky ledges, and rarely in trees. 



Terns visit the shores of salt and fresh water, especially 

 salt. They are often called sea swallows because of their 

 strong, graceful flight. They plunge after fish; in flight the 

 bills point downward. 



The order Tube-nosed Swimmers contain the greatest 

 fliers. Petrels are closelj' allied to albatrosses, shear-waters, 

 and fukners. Petrels are pelagic, visiting land only to nest. 

 They are strong, graceful fliers, and are noted for following 

 ships. 



Cormorants and Pelicans belong to the order of Totopal- 

 mate Swimmers, as all four toes are united by web. The 



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