158 



THE INHABITANTS OF THE SEA. 



splashing towards the crest of the wave, to get hold of the object 

 of their pursuit, while others are seen every now and then diving, 

 and reappearing with a fish in their bill. Sometimes the more 

 powerful sea-hawk interrupts their pleasure, pounces upon the 

 robbers, and scatters the screaming band. 



Many different species of gulls inhabit the northern shores, 

 and various are the places which they choose for breeding. 

 The Kittiwake or Tarrock (Lams tridactylus), one of the com- 

 monest sea-birds in Greenland, Iceland, the Feroes and the 

 Scotch islands, builds its sea-weed nest on the highest and most 

 inaccessible rocks. According to Faber (Prodromus of Ice- 

 landic Ornithology), its swarms are so numerous on Grrimsoe, 

 that they darken the sun when they fly, deafen the ear when 

 they scream, and deck the green-capped rocks with a white 

 covering when they breed. 



In the famous "bird-city" at the north point of Sylt, the Silvery 

 or Herring-gull plays a prominent 

 part. Its great size, equal to that 

 of the raven, but with much longer 

 wings — its agreeable form, its pure 

 white plumage, of metallic brilliancy 

 on the back, gradually melting into 

 light ash-blue ; the velvet-black ends 

 of the wings, with snowy feather tips, 

 the lovely yellow eye, and the deep 

 yellow beak, with its coral-red spot, all this together forms a beau- 

 tiful picture. "There we stood," says 

 Naumann, "surrounded by thou- 

 sands, that partly hovered close 

 over our heads, uttering their shrill 

 screams, partly stood before us in 

 pairs; some on their nests, the 

 males keeping guard, some sleep- 

 ing on one leg, and others leisurely 

 stretching themselves. In one 

 word, one hardly knew what most 

 to admire, the uncommon cleanli- 

 ness and beauty of their plumage, the great variety and elegance 

 of their attitudes, their tameness, or the immense number? 

 collected in so small a spa.ce." 



Herring Gull (Young). 



Herring Gull, or Silvery Gull 

 (Adult). 



