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TEXT-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY 



numerous species of gulls to be found there. Its yellow beak, the pale 

 red feet, the snowy white plumage, blue- grey above, render this bird 

 a true ornament of the sea. Its food consists principally of fish. By 

 its long pointed wings the bird is adapted for rapid and remarkably 

 dexterous flight. Having espied a fish with its sharp ei/cs, the bird 

 swoops down into the water swift as ■-.-■■ 



an arrow, and seizing its prey securely 

 in its strong beak, the upper portion of 

 which terminates in a sharp hook, it 

 swallows it whole. When fatigued, 

 the birds rest floating on the waves 

 (swimming-feet). At ebb-tide they may 

 be seen running rapidly over the shoals 

 and sandy flats, and picking up every- 

 thing that is eatable (molluscs, star- 

 fishes, worms, etc. (webs). The gulls 

 build their vests, often in colonies of 

 thousands, on steep cliffs or on sand- 

 dunes. The eggs are much 



HnniiiNr: ami Ulack-Hkaheji Gulls. 



The bird in the foreground is a herring gull, that in the background a blaek-hcaded £,<ull, 



about one-tenth natural size. 



sought after, having an agreeable flavour ; they strongly resemble those 

 of the lapwing, and are, in fact, often fraudulently placed on the market 

 as plovers' eggs. 



