LARIFORM BIRDS 223 



ficing maternal affection, for, according to a popular legend, the female, 

 in case of need, tears open its breast in order with its own blood to 

 appease the hunger and thirst of its young. 



l'EUt'AX. (One-tenth natural size.) 



ORDER XIII.: LARIFORM BIRDS (LONGIPENNES). 



Bill laterally compressed, hooked at the tip. Wings very long and 

 pointed. Feet webbed (natatorial ; see p. 216). Aquatic habits. Young 

 helpless. 



The Herring Gull (Larus cmjcntatus). 



(Length 26 inches.) 

 The herring gull inhabits almost all the coasts of the Northern 

 Hemisphere. In the North Sea it is one of the commonest of the 



