THE SAVAGE WORLD, 
4i5 
upon mollusks and crustaceans, and is specially fond of oysters in the shell. 
When the oyster closes the shell before it has been dragged from its home 
SEA SWALLOWS HELPING A WOUNDED MATE. 
the scissors-bill is said to allow its beak to be held by the oyster while it 
breaks the shell by dashing it violently against the rocks. 
The Gulls ( Laridce ) are divided into 
true gulls , terns or sea-swallows , and 
shearwaters , which are a frequent and a 
familiar sight at sea and along the coasts. 
They are poor swimmers and unable to 
dive, but they can float with grace and 
ease, although they pass most of their 
life on the wing. They are protected 
by the superstitions of the sea, except 
when some “ summer visitor” at a seaside 
resort shoots one of them to provide 
his lady with bird’s wings for her hat. 
The Great Black-backed Gull 
{Larus marinus) is about two and a half feet in length, and is said to be a better 
swimmer than most of its family. It is said to occur in America, but is found 
giant gull ( Lestris catarractes). 
