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on the ground. They are equally fierce with the bonxie in 
the defence of their nest, and make up in superior velocity 
their deficiency of weight. The rushing noise that ac- 
companies the darting resembles that of a small rocket. 
The Arctic gull employs the same stratagems with the 
plover to decoy enemies from its nest. Placing itself at some 
distance from its retreat, it assumes the appearance of be- 
ing disabled and incapable of flying, even making repeated 
tumbles, and continues to excite pursuit in a direction op- 
posite to that of its nest, till a safe distance is obtained ; 
the Arctic gull then mounts with extraordinary velocity : 
and I may venture to say, that, to a person ignorant of 
the trick, the stratagem is conducted with an art that never 
fails of success. 
In approaching the nest of the Arctic gull, an attack 
still more fierce than that of the Skua commences. The 
intruder receives constant flaps with the wings of the bird. 
Judging from the rapidity of the dart, and their just graz- 
ing the head of the person, I imagined, if any hard sub- 
stance was suddenly elevated above the head a few inches 
at the moment previous to the graze, the animal would 
probably terminate its existence against it. I accordingly 
elevated the muzzle of a fowling-piece a few inches above 
my head, and after a few trials, in which the bird shewed 
a most extraordinary power of altering its course when al- 
most touching the gun, the experiment ended by its death ; 
and so great was the force with which it struck the gun, 
that its brains were forced out, and the death was instantane- 
ous ; and I have no doubt an adroit person might kill num- 
bers in this way. The form of the nest, number, colour, and 
shape of the eggs, resemble that of the Skua, as also the 
time of breeding. The young birds, or scories, are of a 
very handsome dark-speckled brown; the old birds are 
