MARCH. 59 



tance from open water, and only become noisy when they 

 are frightened, and take wing. 



The black-headed gulls have recently visited the mead- 

 ows during March freshets, and these were much more 

 tame than the other species, which ordinarily stays 

 close by the river. In 1887, they even sailed over the 

 upland fields as though, like fish-hawks, they would at 

 least be glad to find some novelty in the way of food, 

 even if they did not expect it. 



It was amusing to see with what vehemence the crows 

 protested against this invasion of their territory. They 

 chased the gulls incessantly, and scolded with a harshness 

 suggestive of the most direful imprecations; but all in 

 vain. The gulls were bent upon making these overland 

 explorations, and make them they did. At times a num- 

 ber of crows came together in the trees and discussed the 

 situation with less noise, but yet in no uncertain manner. 

 It was to me a most suggestive sight to watch a crow as he 

 stepped out to some commanding position and harangued 

 his fellows. This, it is no exaggeration to say, more than 

 one crow did, and that there could be no misinterpretation 

 on my part is evident from the fact that at times, and for 

 a moment only, the audience uttered a single word — shall 

 I call it ? — of approval ; a hearty " That's so," such as you 

 hear upon the streets among crowds of much less brainy 

 bipeds. Then away, in a body, they would fly and chase 

 the scattered gulls that sailed over the fields. But it all 

 mattered not,- and the visitors only left when they saw fit. 



I am sure that during one whole week I never saw a 

 gull dip down to the ground and pick up any article of 

 food, and very generally they flew at a much greater ele- 

 vation above the fields than they usually do above the 

 water. "What food they got must have been gathered dur- 

 ing brief visits to the river, or at night when they roosted, 

 so I was told, upon the water. 



