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AMERICAN ORNITHO LOGY. 



A characteristic view in the largest of the Gull colony showing the 

 tangled masses of standing and fallen trunks. 



a surprisingly graceful manner for so large a bird with such short legs. 

 A few seemed to be playing a game of tag; one would start chasing 

 another, whereupon a third would often cross between the two and would 

 then be pursued by the starter of the game just as children do in 

 'cross tag'. We frequently saw this game, if such it was, played, the 

 birds continuing until they appeared to tire of it. 



Another game is mentioned by my friend Mr. Parker who has visited 

 the island during the past two seasons but we were not fortunate enough 

 to see it during our stay. It might be called the tug of war. One bird 

 picks up a small stick, perhaps six or eight inches long and, advancing 

 up to another offers it the other end of the stick; this individual catch- 

 ing the spirit of the fun, grasps the end and then ensues a silent but 

 vigorous tussle to see who shall retain possession; no animosity seems 

 to be shown by either party and the stick is dropped as soon as one 

 gains the victory. 



Scattered about among the large white Gulls were many smaller 

 grayish, wooly looking creatures mounted on stilt like legs, and, as 



