THE SEA-FLIERS. 1 5? 



breeding-place. Many members of this family are more or less migratory ; some appear upon our 

 northern shores in the spring, and after rearing their young, take their departure in the autumn ; 

 others again only wander to considerable distances ; there are, indeed, but few species that can 

 be properly regarded as stationary. These wandering propensities are intimately connected 

 with their supply of food. All of them live more or less upon fishes, but some also greedily devour 

 insects, and these latter migrate with the greatest regularity. Besides the above articles of 

 nourishment, Gulls eagerly pick up whatever small animals or animal substances they may happen to 

 meet with. Carrion they devour as greedily as do the Vultures, even if it be in a putrid condition. 

 In short, they appear to share the appetites of many other birds, and to be quite as omnivorous as the 

 Crows. All Sea Gulls walk well and quickly ; they swim buoyantly, lying in the water like so many 

 air-bubbles, and dive with facility, but to no great depth, plunging probably for not more than one or 

 two feet below the surface. Their voice consists of a harsh, disagreeable scream. As their breeding 

 time approaches, these birds begin to assemble in flocks, which are frequently joined by other parties, 

 until at last they form a numerous host. Even upon our own shores their nesting-places are often 

 occupied by many hundred pairs, whilst further north they congregate in countless multitudes. The 

 larger species crowd less closely together at these times than the smaller ones, the latter often literally 

 covering the rocks on which their nests are so closely placed, that the brooding parents press upon 

 each other. The structure of the nests varies in different localities ; where grass and seaweeds are 

 procurable they are carefully heaped together, but where these fail the nests are of still scantier 

 proportions. The brood consists of from two to four comparatively large oval eggs, with strong 

 • coarse, brownish green or greenish brown shells, spotted with grey and brown ; upon these both male 

 and female sit by turns, for a period of three or four weeks. The young are clothed in a thick 

 covering of speckled down, and shortly after emerging from the shell may be seen trotting about upon 

 the sand, hiding themselves if alarmed behind little hillocks, or boldly plunging into the water. 

 Such, however, as are born upon the ledges of perpendicular rocks, must necessarily remain there 

 until their wings are strong enough to enable them to come down from their lofty perch, for they 

 appear not to take the desperate leaps into the sea attempted by so many sea birds, to their destruction. 

 During the first few days, the young are fed with half-digested food from their parents' crops, and 

 afterwards with freshly-caught fishes, or other small animals. For some little time after they are able 

 to fly they remain together, but soon quit their birthplace, and spread themselves along the coast. 

 In the northern regions the Gulls are not only the most beautiful, but the most useful of the many 

 feathered visitants ; they are regarded as property, and as jealously preserved as any other game. In 

 Norway the eggs form a very considerable part of the land proprietors' revenue. Among the poorer 

 inhabitants the feathers are used instead of eider-down for bedding. The flesh of the old birds finds 

 favour only amongst the Esquimaux, while that of the young is eaten by the inhabitants of Greenland 

 and Iceland. If properly cooked, the latter, in truth, form by no means a despicable dish. Still, 

 however, the eggs and feathers are looked upon as far more valuable than this somewhat fishy-flavoured 

 game. In some localities, at certain seasons of the year, great battues are held, apparently much more 

 from a love of slaughter than from any desire to turn the birds to account. The chase after Sea Gulls 

 presents but few difficulties, a white pocket handkerchief thrown into the air is quite sufficient to 

 attract their attention, and when they approach, if one is killed many others will at once crowd around 

 it. They are also caught by a great variety of contrivances ; snares are laid for them upon the 

 sandbanks, some are caught in nets, and others by means of hooks, baited with fish. 



The FISHING GULLS (Larus) comprise the larger members of the family, and constitute a well- 

 marked section, principally distinguished by the colour of their plumage. All the members of this 



