GLAUCOUS GULL. 



249 



This large species is almost wholly confined to the hyper- 

 boreal regions, where it inhabits both continents indifferently. 

 It is common in Russia^ Greenland, and in all the Arctic and 

 polar seas. In Baffin's, Bay and the adjoining straits and coasts 

 it is seen in considerable numbers during the summer. Its 

 winter resorts are yet unknown. From its great rarity in the 

 United Staites it is probable that this Gull may not migrate far 

 from its summer residence, as there can be no reason why it 

 should (Proceed south along the Pacific in preference to the 

 Atlantic coast. 



These birds are almost continually on the wing, uttering 

 often a hoarse cry, like the Rayen. They are extrernely tyran- 

 nical, greedy, and voracious, preying not only on ifish and 

 small birds, but also on carrion, and are said to attend on 

 the wabrus to feed on its excrement. They wrest prey from 

 weaker birds, and are often seen hovering in the air or seated 

 on some tofty pinnacle of ice, whence, having fixed their eye 

 upon some favorite morsel, they dart down on the possessor, 

 which, whether Fulmar, Guillemot, or Kittiwake, must instantly 

 resign the prize. The Auk, as well as the young Penguin, they 

 not only rob, but often wholly devour. Pressed by hunger, they 

 sometimes even condescend to share the crow-berry with the 

 Ptarmigan. When not impelled by hunger, they are rather 

 shy and inactive birds, and much less clamorous than others of 

 the genus. 



This specie's is rather boreal in its range, breeding chiefly in the 

 Arctic Ocean, though Mr. Chapman gives its breeding area as 

 "from southern Labrador northward." Farther south it is a 

 straggler merely, though in the Bay of Fundy it is sometimes quite 

 common in mid-winter, and examples have been seen along the 

 New England shores and southward to Long Island and on the 

 Great Lakes. 



Nuttall has put into the few lines given above all the peculiar 

 habits of the bird, which combine with some Gull-like traits many 

 of the coarse characteristics of both the Falcon and Vulture. 



Some observers have reported that the flocks are at times very 

 noisy, particularly when settling for the night ; but those I have 

 met with in winter have been rather silent. Their cry is harsh, and 

 at times very loud ; it sounds something like the syllables kuk-lak', 

 — I have seen it written cut-leek. 



