Saturday visitor. (Newark, Del.) 1876-1876, 1876-02-12
About GuIls.

There are at the present time no less
than eight varieties of gulls known to
this coast. The gull most commonly
seen In the harbor is the western her
ring gull, almost identical in form, size,
color, and habits with the common her.
ring gull Of the East. Indeed, there are
few California sea birds which are dis
tlnctively Western, but nearly all find
their prototypes In Eastern waters, the
only appreciable difference between the
species Of the two coasts being, In many
instances the larger size of those in
habiting the Pacihc-a popularity not
confined to birds, either, but also true
OF fruits, vegetables and other natural
productions of the country. Every one
knows the appearance of the Western
gun. Its robust form; its pure white
plumage beneath its delicate slate-blue
wings and back; its graceful, easily
sustained flight and Its sociable habits,
render 1t very conspicuous and promi-
nent item in the attractions Of the bay.
Accompanying 1t are seen gulls Of
similar characteristics, save that their
plumage Is of dingy brown or grey
color. These are the yonng of this same
species, and do not take on the full
| splendor of their dress till the second or
third year, and 1t is common to see, In
single passage across the bay, birds of
this species In every conceivable variety
| OF plumage. They are very greedy
birds, and not Mt all fastidious as to the
| composition of their repast, fresh fish or
putrid, decayed vegetable matter, or the
offal and garbage Of the wharyes being
devoured with equal relish. They are
very expert In picking up food from the
surface of the water, circling over ii
until assured of its deslrableness, and
then descending with strong flappings
Of their appraised wings till close upon
the water, when the prize is picked
daintily up without the birds wetting
its feet, and the interrupted flight re-
| sumed. When, as Is often the case,
several birds dart at once in pursuit of
lne ,ame morsel, less care is taken, and
the whole body precipitate themselves
into the waves with shrill screams and
. great throwing up of the water, and
II one Is fortunate enough to gain
prize, he Is at once pursued by the rest
and pecked and buffeted till sometimes
he is obliged 10 drop the food, which is
snatched by another before It reaches
the water, and who in turn is assailed
by the rest till the bit is either finally
swallowed or torn In pieces In the
struggle. Upon the beaches beyond the
city these birds are seen in immense
numbers, patiently waiting for the tide
to 20 out, or when 1t GIBBS, usually en-
gagged In feedingQn the mussels, marine
worms, snaiis, &c, left visible by the
receding waters. They also subsist
largely on clans, which they clear from
the shells by beating them against the
rocks, or, where the beach is sandy, Nv
ing with them to distance Of from
fifty to hundred feet In the air, from
which height they are dropped to the
ground below and broken by the fall;
whereupon the ingenious birds descend
and enjoy q rich feast. Upon these
beaches they may often be seen at low
tide, completely gorged and fast asleep
upon one leg, and 30 oblivious to all
their surroundings that the returning
tide sweeps them OF, still sleeping,
upon the tossing waves, Yet, in spite Of
Their seeming forgetfulness to all their
surroundings, 1t is a difficult matter to
walk up to them, for at the slightest
intimation of danger their heads come
out from under their wings with jerk,
and rising heavily they flap away to
some more secure retreat. Though care
Flcss In tiIctr fnaEner of ieeding they are
very neat in their plumage and spend
hours every day In dressing their
| feathers.
Frequently found in company with
the preceding species are the glaucus-
winged and California gulls, the former
much resembling it though easily dis
tinguished by its larger size aud shorter
wings, which makes its flight less grace
full and well-sustained, and the latter
being much smaller than either of Its
companions, and with lighter colored
back and wings. These California gulls
are a great pest to the pellcans, which
they closely follow In their search for
food, and when they have seized fish
nimbly snatch 1t from the open pouch,
often alighting on the lubberly birds
very head for the purpose, and bear 1t
away in triumph. The abused pelican,
however, seldom resents the theft, but
calmly turns away for other game, OF
which, perchance, he is again deity
robbed by his sprightly and conscience
less neighbor. When no pelicans are
at hand these feathered hoodlums be-
take themselves to honest work, and
catch their own fish In a very ski!ful
| manner
The ring-billed gulls are also pretty
constant visitors to our harbor and
fraternize with the other varieties al
ready enumerated, which they resemble
in general appearance, habits, and flight.
They are Of very sympathetic natures,
and If one Of their number Is shot and
wounded will hover over 1t with every
expression Of deep solicitude, and even
try to help 1t rise again into the air, nor
do their efforts cease until several shots
have been firedamong them, when they
seem to appreciate the situation and
| In, Il ri.
Other and later varieties are the white
headed gull--a beautiful bird, easily
distinguishablc by Its snow-white head,
blendingxinto ashy-lead color on the
back and breast, and a blood-red bill
Suckley's gull, a miniature copy Of the
glaucus-winged gull, and, rarest'of all,
the ivory gull, Of peculiarly brilliant
| white plumage and light yellow bill.
Bpnaparte's gull, a handsome and
! graeefnls species, smaller than any Of
Che others, aid easily distinguished by
( it's black head and neck, Is also rather
4 frequent visitor, and differs from other
/ birds OF Its class in being very good eat
ing, quite equal, 1 think, to the larger
rails. This Is probably due to the char
acter of his food, which is more delicate
than that sought by the other species,
and consists largely, at certain seasons,
OF coleopterous insects, which IL secures
III the air after the manner of swallow
"A habit noticed, as far as / know, in
no other gull. Though all these yarie-
ties feed together amicably, their breed
ing places are always kept distinct;
and, though several may breed in the
same island, their nests are not adjacent.
The Skua gulls, or Jagers, whose char
acteristics are more robust form and
darker plumage than those Of the true