The Glaucous-winged Gull 
ing, grass-covered hillsides are favorite places, and the seclusion of the 
underbrush is not despised; but the sculptured chambers of sandstone, 
hollowed by the high-flung chisels of the winter’s storms, constitute the 
ideal setting for a gull’s nest. The eggs, barring mishap always three in 
number, are in color and markings skillful epitomes of their average sur¬ 
roundings. The chicks, likewise, are marked for obliteration. They have, 
moreover, a faculty of absolute movelessness on occasion, which those of 
us who are parents ardently covet for our six-year olds. 
Taken in Washington Photo by the Author 
FIRST COME FIRST SERVED 
Gull discipline can be very stern while danger lasts; but once let the 
parents suppose themselves unobserved, and they will lavish every atten¬ 
tion upon their offspring. The fish-laden bird, returning from the chase, 
first disgorges his catch of smelt or the like upon a convenient spot; then 
in a wheedling voice summons the chicks from hiding. They come skipping 
up like kids, and fall to, while the doting parents dance attendance and 
utter incessant blandishments. And after the youngsters have stuffed 
themselves to repletion, the mother still urges, “Can’t Mama’s darlings 
eat just one more fishy?” until the beholder, recalling the ways of his own 
kind, is almost nauseated. 
Gulls are credited with “screams” or “cries”, but it is not, perhaps, 
generally understood that the notes of different species are distinctive; or 
that each species possesses a considerable vocabulary with which to voice 
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