272 



the hard sandy beach, and descends to pick out the mollusk from the broken fragments. Should 

 the first attempt to break the shell by this means prove a failure, the bird repeats the operation ; 

 and I once witnessed nine successive attempts before the firm shell yielded. On riding up to the 

 spot, I found that the shell was of unusual thickness, and measured more than two inches across 

 the surface. Small Crustacea, sandhoppers, dead fish, and carrion of all kinds are also laid under 

 contribution, as this Gull is both omnivorous and voracious. In a state of domestication it will 

 feed freely on cooked vegetables, or on any thing that may be offered to it, although it always 

 gives the preference to fresh meat of any kind. 



It breeds on the open sea-shore in remote or little-frequented parts of the coast, or on the 

 shingle-banks far up the river-courses — nesting in large companies, and repairing to the same 

 breeding-station season after season. The nest is formed with a tolerable amount of care, being 

 constructed of dry sea-weed, grass tussocks torn up by the roots, and other rough materials, the 

 interior being carefully lined with bent. Some nests exhibit far less finish than others ; and 

 occasionally the eggs are deposited on the bare sand, a mere depression in the surface being 

 considered sufficient : they are generally two in number (sometimes three), broadly ovoido-conical 

 in form, measuring 2 - 8 inches in length by 2 in breath, and they vary considerably in their style 

 of colouring : generally speaking, they are of a warm greenish-grey colour, varied over the entire 

 surface with spots, streaks, and blotches of dark umber ; in some the ground-colour is tinged with 

 light brown. Hardly two specimens can be found exhibiting the same markings, some being 

 densely studded with minute spots, while others are covered with irregular streaks and blotches 

 varying in density of colour from light brown to black. In one specimen, which came into my 

 hands, an eccentric streak had assumed a curious resemblance to the letters MD. When 

 disturbed in their nesting-ground, the old birds become very excited and clamorous, flying about 

 overhead in a very confused manner ; while the young ones betake themselves at once to the 

 nearest water, or squat and hide among the stones, where the protective colouring of their down 

 is of the utmost service to them. The young bird has a very shrill cry ; and as it grows older, 

 this changes to a prolonged squeal. The adult bird utters a loud laughing note when alarmed or 

 excited, and at other times a short peevish whistle. It is easily domesticated, and becomes much 

 attached to those who show it any attention. Some years ago I saw a very beautiful albino, 

 having the entire plumage of the purest white, in the possession of Captain Robinson at 

 Manawatu. 



