66 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



them, sometimes all three together — with reiterated cries. So 

 close do they come, as they dash' at her, that one might think 

 they really meant to peck her, but they always turn off, gene- 

 rally with an upward dart, before this point is reached. To the 

 eye it looks as though there might be a foot's space between 

 them when the swerve is made, but in reality, perhaps, it may 

 be more. For the Eagle, she is clearly annoyed ; her most pro- 

 nounced motion, as the Gulls approach her, is a sudden tilt of the 

 body, upward, on the side exposed — for it is from above that the 

 enemy threaten — the beak being, no doubt, turned defensively, 

 but this I cannot see. Gradually the clamour of the Gulls 

 subsides, and at 10 both Eagles are floating together again, 

 unannoyed. 



(To be continued.) 



