BREEDING COLONIES. 
351 
swarm of bees in numbers and activity, and seem 
completely to darken the air.” The screams and 
confusion at such breeding-places is indescribable. Every 
creature, harmless or otherwise, is immediately greeted 
with loud cries, and driven from the spot. Neither man 
nor dog, or indeed any other animal, can stand this 
treatment for any length of time, for they not only 
stupify eyes, nose, and ears, but boldly attack any 
intruder on their domain, and are ready to risk their 
lives for the benefit of the community. They only 
allow such allied species to mix with them as are 
able to take care of themselves. Other Gulls are 
not quite so exclusive, though each species keeps 
to itself. Naumann gives a description of a breeding- 
place on the island of Sylt, which, at the lowest 
computation, accommodates no less than five thousand 
pairs of Herring Gulls every year. “ At a great distance 
the sand-hills, tinged with green caused by the sparse 
vegetation, may be seen covered with innumerable small 
white spots, which, on a nearer approach, prove to be 
Gulls. On invading their territory one is charmed by the 
confidence shown by these lovely creatures, which, dis¬ 
persed in pairs over the plain, rise from their nests as 
the intruder draws near, and stand by their eggs. These 
inimitable beings remain perfectly quiet, and, showing 
not even the slightest sign of curiosity, allow the visitor 
to approach, almost to within a distance of fifteen paces 
before they take wing, when they swoop close over him, 
increasing in number with every step he takes. The air 
is filled with a mighty swarm of screaming birds, while a 
glance ahead shows hundreds on or near the nests 
awaiting the arrival of the visitor with the same 
nonchalance, until their turn comes to take wing.” 
