LIFE HISTORIES OP NORTH AMERICAN GTTLLS AND TERNS. 109 



the one in which the birds are hatched — that is, in the second winter — 

 the "gray gull" molts into its second winter plumage, a dress 

 which approaches that of the adult in its pearl-gray back and white 

 belly, but the former is mottled with brownish and the latter clouded 

 with dusky. The head, neck, and rump are heavily streaked with 

 gray, the primaries are black, and the tail appears to be tipped with 

 black, owing to the dusky brown mottling of the white feathers. 

 A partial molt in the spring into the second nuptial plumage still 

 further improves the dress. A few individuals of this age (2 years) 

 with black tips to the tails and streaked breasts are to be found in 

 the breeding colonies, but none of those in the gray of the first 

 nuptial plumage. Not until the third year or later is the full dress 

 assumed with perfect blue gray mantle, snowy heads, breasts, rumps, 

 and tails, and with primaries tipped with white. Astley (1901) 

 states that the bright yellow bill is not attained until the fourth year. 

 There is then a carmine spot on the lower mandible; the irides are 

 yellow. 



There is also a seasonal molt, by which a slight streaking of the 

 neck is assumed in winter, but it is probable that this diminishes and 

 may vanish with age. According to Dwight (1901) the limited pre- 

 nuptial molts occur on the Atlantic coast in March and April, and 

 the complete postnuptial molts in August and September. 



Food. — The food habits of the herring gull are of considerable 

 importance, for the bird is a scavenger and renders great service in 

 keeping the harbors and beaches free from decaying fish and refuse 

 of all sorts. All is game that comes in their way, but their greatest 

 prizes are thrown from fishing vessels when the men are cleaning 

 fish. At these times they crowd around the sterns of the vessels and 

 dash eagerly for the choice pieces, the air being filled with their 

 screams. The method of picking up food from the water is char- 

 acteristic and graceful. Down they swoop on outstretched wings 

 and spread tails with feet dropped to the water, where they often 

 seize the morsel without wetting a feather save perhaps only the tips 

 of their tails, which are curved downward. Often the birds must 

 needs check their course by back paddling with their wings or even 

 by flying up almost backwards. If the morsel is large thy sit on the 

 water for a moment or two to swallow it, and thus drop behind the 

 fishing vessel which, however, is easily overtaken. There is many 

 a slip twixt the cup and the lip, however, for the birds are often 

 made to share the booty with other gulls who have had their eyes 

 on the same dainties, or even to lose it altogether when pursued by 

 a more powerful rival. The great black-backed gull plays this role 

 with great effect. 



The scows which carry off the city garbage to be dumped in 

 deep water are also eagerly followed by the gulls and much booty is 



