Jan'y 19
(No 2)
The tug steams steadily ahead during the
operation so that the contents of the scow are not
deposited in one spot but trail out behind forming
a broad belt on the water for a distance of several
hundred yards, the ashes sinking quickly of course
but much of the vegetable matter and all the
paper floating, at least for a short time.
  The great quantity of garbage thus spread out
over the water usually attracts immense numbers of
Gulls. Indeed we had been assured by several
persons who had made the trip that most of 
the birds in the harbor followed the scow to the
dumping ground where others joined them 
from the open ocean until the assembled birds
numbered thousands. The scow men confirmed
this and added that the birds, having never been
molested, ordinarily behave in the most fearless
manner flapping past within a yard or two of 
the boat and even attempting to snatch choice
morsels from her deck load. It was to see all
this and perhaps shoot a few specimens if 
anything rare was found among the birds that
we undertook this expedition but we were utterly
disappointed for the Gulls showed scarce any
interest in the movements of the scow to-day.
Several, it is true, escorted us down the harbor
and four or five hovered for a moment over
the floating garbage at the dumping grounds
but not once helped himself to the smallest 
morsel while we were in sight of the place.