Waterbury Democrat., 1902-04-22
GULLs AT A FEAST.

l Just after. the turn of the tide yes l terday morning there was q number or
 There was nothing remarkable in that | fact, though it was rather unusual to have clear end from which to see all that was going on in the stream, but the severe gales of the previous days
 had kept the fishing vessels from com l ing in, and so there was a smaller number at the wharf and the end was unoccupied.
 The usual crowd of interested on lockers was present; they were ready to be amused in any way. The depart
 ure of the Admiral Farragut for lama
 ica served to hold their attention for time, but as soon as she got away from the shore all attention was turned to a flock of gulls which had gathered at the end of the wharf to investigate the stream of broken ice and fish offal
 which was running out on the tide from one of the SchoonerS further up
 alongside the wharf, which was clean ing out, preparatory to fitting out again
 for another trip.
 The ice mixed with bits of fish was
 being poured over the side of the
 schooner by the basketful and so
 formed continuous stream of fotsam running out into the harbor between two little catSpawS from the north westerly wind. The wharf made lee of calm water along one side of this stream, and here the gulls were gather ing. There was perhaps two hundred
 of the birds, and they were circling
 about in the air: then dashing down
 into the water to snatch up a bit of floating fish meat, to fly away and eat
 1t in some spot where they were unmo- tested. Then they would drop down
 into the water and float like little yes sels riding at anchor.
 The air was quite filled with the
 birds, which seemed to keep regulari- ty Of route in their methods. They flew with the sun-that is. from east to west and striking the water where
 they saw the floating food, would grab the bit, and with two or three ssbuck
 jumps" as boy would call them, striking the water with both feet two
 or three times, would fly away, gob- bling down the bit: or would settle down toward the eastward. and swal- low their booty, and rest a few min utes, at the same time drifting down with the tide. Then they would repeat the performance
 All the time the flying birds were ut tering their peculiar squealing cry, which seemed to have q note of excite
 ment or anger in it, as the pursuit of their food became more hot. A gull
 would see floating bit and would
 seem to scream. 'sI saw it first.'' and
 make a dash for the bit of fish. An other would shriek, That's mine.'' and make dash. One would seem to yell. live got it." and swoop down on a bit
 and fly away with it dangling from his beak. Never would they seem to col lide as they struck their prey. but al- 1 ways came down into the water grace fully and without interfering with one
 another: but sometimes q bird would see another with T choice bit, and
 would follow him to the still water and snatch it from his beak and gobble it down, obliging the poor, robbed bird to
 make another foraging trip.
 There were gulls of all descriptions present: some were almost white. with ! suggestion of black on the tips of the
 wings and tail; others were almost a
 pure gray. like Maltese cat: others were like the common barn owl in col
 or. but evenly marked. They would
 settle down into the water with their
 wings raised like the fabled Phoenix in
 it's nest of flames. then curling them
 closely down on their sides, would ride
 the water like little boats
 One of the bystanders. who had been watching them with interest, said: Down on the coast, of Maine they shoot those fellows. and the only way they can get near them is to take q basket on the shoulder with the gun, and when you get near enough drop the basket and let 'em have it. But if they see man with a gun alone they are off i'll less than no time"
 Here in Boston the gulls enjoy pro- tection from the wanton gunner and In the harbor are valuable scavengers. performing their duties in such ways as this scene described ed-Boston Jour- nal.