200 Biographical Account of the 



evening. After they had all regained their tranquillity, a 

 few croaks only being heard now and then, I broke a stick to 

 see what effect the noise might have, when a few that were 

 on some trees nearer than the rookery flew off in silence. A 

 repetition of the noise produced the same effect, but the 

 sound did not disturb the main body. I then clapped my 

 bands, when presently all was mute, and so long as this 

 sound was repeated, no cry was emitted. They seemed to 

 watch in silence my further proceedings ; and, on my ceas- 

 ing, the rookery resumed its natural state : a young bird 

 now and then uttered its faint cry, on which an old one 

 emitted its curious modulated notes, and a gruff old fellow 

 or two croaked aloud at intervals. The great variety of 

 notes emitted by the rooks under these circumstances greatly 

 surprised me ; for although I had been aware that their cry 

 is not always merely a craa, I did not imagine that their voice 

 was capable of presenting so many modifications. — (Vol. i., p. 

 548.) 



Or let us take one of his latest descriptions, that of the 

 Great Black-backed Gull: — "'The Great Black-backed Gull 

 is among the most beautiful of a tribe remarkable for beauty. 

 The contrast between the dark purple tint of his back and 

 wings, and the snowy white of the rest of his plumage, with 

 the bright carmine-patched yellow of his powerful bill, and 

 the delicate pinkish hue of his feet, render him an object at 

 all times agreeable to the sight. No sprinkling of dust, no 

 spot of mud, ever soil his downy clothing ; his bill exhibits 

 no tinge derived from the subject of his last meal, bloody or 

 half-putrid though it be ; and his feet, laved by the clear 

 brine, are ever beautifully pure. There he stands on the 

 sandy point, the guardian, as it were, of that flock of not less 

 cleanly, and scarcely less lovely, Herring Gulls and Sea Mews. 

 But not giving us more credit for our good intentions than 

 we deserve, he spreads out his large wings, stretches forth 

 his strong neck, runs a few paces, and uttering a loud scream- 

 ing cry, springs into the air. Some gentle flaps of those 

 vigorous wings carry him to a safe distance, when he alights 

 on the smooth water, and is presently joined by his clamor- 

 ous companions. Buoyantly they float, each with his head 



