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THE KITTIWAKE GULL. 



Larus tridactylus, Lath. 



PLATE CCXXIV. Adult in Sdmmer, and Young in VVintee. 



This beautiful Gull ranges, during the autumnal and winter months, 

 along the whole of our extensive coasts. I have procured it from the 

 mouth of the Mississippi to the coast of Maine, and have traced it from 

 the latter district to Labrador. Yet I never saw it on any of our great 

 lakes or rivers, nor in any part of the interior. From New York to East- 

 port it is extremely abundant, and many breed on the Island of Grand 

 Manan, off the entrance of the Bay of Fundy. 



As we approached the famous Gannet Rock of the Gulf of St Law- 

 rence, the wind suddenly rose to a gale ; but as I was exceedingly anxious 

 that a landing should be effected on the island, every exertion was made 

 to enable me to accomplish my purpose. The whale boat was manned. 

 Thomas Lincoln and my son leaped into it, accompanied by young 

 Cooi.EDGE. Urged by strong pulls, the buoyant boat advanced towards 

 the o-rim rock. For nearly an hour it became hidden from my sight ; but 

 now and then the report of a gun brought intimation that all was as yet 

 safe ; and at length I had the great pleasure of seeing it advancing to- 

 wards the Ripley, which stood off and on, shivering as it were under the 

 heavy blast. My eye fixed to the telescope, watched every movement of 

 the boat, as with fear I saw it tossed from billow to billow, this moment 

 a crlimpse of her keel appearing over the edge of a wave, the next a foot 

 of her stem only seeming to float on the waters. " Pull steadily on, my 

 good lads,'- at last came on my ear, when, by a heavy surge, the floating 

 shell was driven back some twenty yards, as I thought, and the wave, 

 foamino- with wrath, broke over her. Breathless and exhausted, the crew 

 at length came within reach of a line, as the boat was dangerously plung- 

 incp, when by good luck the rope was thrown across her, and in a few mo- 

 ments she lay snug under our lee. How happy was I when I again saw 

 my son, my young companions, and the sailors, on the deck of the Ripley. 

 Quickly was the whaler hauled on board, and with joy we saw our vessel 

 fly off like a Kittiwake before the gale. 



When the anxiety was over, inquiries were made as to the success of the 



