The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-14
SEA GULL DICKS RETURN.
1TBRENToN'S LIG HTSHIP FOR
MS TWENTT-THIRD WINTER.
re Appears There Each October and Ne
parts In MRrch-He Is n Sngncious BIRD,
and SclrntlAta Arr Interested In lIIra.

| re Appears There Each October nnd Ne
| parts In March-He Is n SngncIous bird,
and Scientists Are Interested In Hir..
| NEWPORT. Oct. 13-'rhe return Of Sea Gull
| Dick to Brcnton's Reef lightship to spend the
| winter there has aroused general interest among
| those who know the history Of that aged bird.
Dick first appeared at the lghtship twenty three
| years ago and each winter since he has mads
his hcadq quarters therein fact, has lived aboard
the vessel. lie puts In an appearance very reg
ularly early in October and disappears again,
undoubtedly going northward for the summer,
about March 10.
Long ago these regular migrations Interested
people in Dick. Much has been written about
him, and scores have visited the lightship tO see
the sea Rul. Twenty years ago he was gray, but,
like all other sea guls, he has turned white with
years. II Is said that there are only two persons
living who remember Dicks first winter at the
lightship. lie came there one day apparently
nearly starved and flew about the ship until he
attracted attention. The cook brought out .
plate Of food and set II on the rail of the ship.
The gull alghtcd and ate the food ravenously.
Every winter since then he has returned and
enjoyed the hospitality of the ship.
Before he became tame several unsuccessful
attempts were made to catch him. One sailor
covered II fish hook with bread and offered IL to
him. Dick eyed the coveted ball of food care
fully, and then calmly walked away. leaving
the man to pull In the long cord to which the
hook wns fastened, minus the desired bird.
Some people have declared this 10 he a sea yarn,
but there are several sailors who are willing to
which Dick has displayed since since in many ways
Dick remains most Of the time aboard ship,
where the men have arranged every comfort for
him. including numerous perches on the masts
and about the vessels rails. lie takes frequent
short flights; never going out of sight Of tho
ship, aud swiins about on tho water for hours.
No matter where he may he instinct always
tells him when 1t is meal time aboard ship, and
Il. plN~ note tn
cook call and takes his three meals a day.
:, The, cook ia the gull's favorite aboard the
that Individual who takes the best care Of the
bird. Three years ago the cook fell III and was
treatment. During his absence Dicks meals
were not served entirely to his satisfaction.
sne cn"k %nd the @ %Hs na fed
times till long after the men had finished. AZ
length the cook recovered and made ms way OF.
IL was still ut n great distance, and evidently
recognized his old friend. He uttered a series Of
loud screoches which brought9ll hands ON deck.
companed it all the way back to the lightship.
over enthusiastic admirers OF Dicks sagacity de-
clare that the bird overheard tho crew talking
aboard that day, There are several other in;
stances OF sagacity in the lif1 81 this sea gun
An in"pedmious 81 person once ALLEGED that T.
was different sea gull that appeared at tho
iightship each October, but the crew say they
which he can be Identified. Dick lost sew
srnl feathers from one OF his wings years ugo.
Additional evidence that II Il the same bird that
has been coming is found IN the fact that no
answers to bis name ,, The cook has bq, TO g me
soon ut hand. He was christencd Dick years
ago and learned his name quickly.
No one knows where the gull spends his sum-
mers. When he leaves each March IL Is wiIh
much demonstration, and lac always starts di-
rectly westward. Among the other gulls Dick
acts peculiarly. He appears IN avoid them and
the sailors say he is decidedly jealous II flies
near the lightship.
Several scientists have visited the lightship
to inquire about the. gull, and. of course,
have expressed great surprise at his
alta inments. They find his tameness and
quality Of dOmestication most peculiar, be-
cause Gulls naturally the shyest bird.
that fly. Not few have tried to Induce the
crew to catch Dick aud sell him 10 them, but
the sailors jealousy guard the Rul's liberty.
They hope. however that when his time comes.
and II must be close at hand. for Dick Il IN
decd u very old bird, he will die during II VIM
trr's s0iourn ut Brenton's Reef lghtship. II hs
does, his form will be found there years hence
finely mounted and greatly cherished