30 WOLF'S WILD ANIMAI^S. 



As we look upon their structure, so adapted to the Hfe they are destined to 

 Hve, so wonderfully fitted to the sphere they are formed to fill, how limitless appears 

 the resources of Creative Power, which, having bestowed upon the land its count- 

 less forms of beauty, brings to the deep its own creatures made to dwell amid the 

 mighty waves, or to sport over their everchanging surface ! Of all shapes and 

 sizes — from the Great Black-backed Gull who moves among his brethren of the 

 air like a feathery monarch, exacting tribute from every newly-discovered feast, to 

 the delicate little being no larger than the swallow — these long-winged sprites are 

 met with upon every shore that bounds old Ocean's waves. 



In tropical lands they remain permanently, all the year round ; but they 

 depart from the more northern climes, when the chill blasts betoken the advent of 

 winter, coming to cover their accustomed fishing-grounds with ice, and to hide their 

 finny prey. Graceful are their evolutions when, in noisy groups, assembled over 

 some school of little fish, they plunge into the sea in rapid succession, throwing 

 jets of sparkling drops into the air as each fairy body strikes the yielding surface. 

 Shrill cries of triumph — sometimes of angry, petulant scolding, as one stronger than 

 his fellow snatches away a well-earned prize — resound on every side. The eye 

 becomes dazzled and wearied in following the innumerable curves of the white 

 bodies of the excited throng, though the spectator is filled with pleasurable emotions 

 , at the variety and beauty of their swift and easy movements. 



Not only along the reaches of the sandy shore are these attractive birds 

 found. Far out at sea, hundreds of miles distant from any land, they flit over 

 the bleak waters and glean a scanty meal from off the crests of the angry waves, 

 or follow in the wake of swiftly sailing ships, watchful for every morsel thrown 

 over their sides. Although so light of body as to seem to be the sport of every 

 passing breeze, they battle successfully with the storm, steadying themselves against 

 the furious blast on balanced wings, and with repeated tacks, like well-guided 

 vessels, making headway in the very face of the tempest. The Sea-gull is always 

 at home upon the deep, and, when wearied by a long-continued flight, settles 

 itself upon the water, and folding carefully its long wings over its back, quietly 

 rests, unmindful of the waves that toss its light form about, as they swing to the 

 power of the wind. 



Some of the breeding resorts of the Sea-gulls are most wonderful places to 

 visit ; for although many merely deposit their eggs in hollows in the sand, yet 



