A SUNDAY ON BBEYDON. 375 



the crown with a streak of white, and he had also a white chin. 

 Two other adult birds were as white-headed as in winter, with 

 the black ear-spots distinct and isolated. Another had a dark 

 line running from each ear- spot to the crown ; the others were 

 blotched. So soon does the summer hood vanish after nesting- 

 time in some. The Common Gull stood guard, so to speak, 

 over the tit-bits, and both awing and afoot drove off the others 

 each time they were bold enough to presume. I finally told 

 them all to go with a flourish of my hand. 



The Common Gull still sits there a short way off, loth to 

 leave so dainty a morsel, and he may yet pluck up courage to 

 dash in and snatch it away. I am going to take another nap. 



