12 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



add life to the broad expanse of water. As the days become- 

 colder and drifting snow-squalls tell of the approach of winter, 

 the Ringbills slowly decrease in numbers, while the Herrings 

 become more numerous until they are the only species to be 

 seen for weeks or months together. In fact the Herring Gull 

 must be regarded as much the most notable bird of the whole 

 river avi-fauna. 



As indicated above, the Herring Gulls look very different 

 under varying conditions. The birds in immature plumage 

 often seem to be of one color throughout, and that so dark as 

 to appear black, when seen against fleecy clouds or tossing white- 

 caps. Between this and the blue and white adult plumage there 

 are many phases, grading one into another. Some of the last 

 to be seen in the spring, as well as the first to arrive in the fall, 

 are in the dark plumage. When settling down upon the water 

 they nearly always drop gently, unless in a great hurry to secure 

 a morsel of food. If they spy something of interest while passing 

 rapidly over it, they either apply the brakes by taking almost an 

 upright position in the air and beating the wings directly for- 

 ward, or they pass on and return by a series of spiral curves. 

 I have never seen them check their momentum by skating along 

 on their feet after the manner of some water birds, which have 

 heavier bodies or less wing surface. 



Frequently they endeavor to secure the food by catching it up 

 in their beaks as they pass over. When the wind is high and 

 the waves are running, there are many exhibitions of admirable 

 balancing in executing this feat. Sometimes the object thus 

 secured is at once dropped again, indicating that even gull eyes 

 may be deceived. At other times, they settle upon the water 

 and eat more at leisure. Even then there is no loss of time, for 

 in a surprisingly short space, many others assemble so that there 

 may not be enough for a taste apiece. It is probable that civili- 

 zation furnishes most of their food while on the river. The only 

 fragment which I have been able to identify was a piece of bread. 



When swimming or resting on the water, the gulls carry the 

 points of their wings well above the surface, making them look 

 '' high behind," in contrast to most, or all, of the ducks. The 

 flight may be direct b}'' steady beating of the wings, or this may 



