File:The life and habits of wild animals (1874) (14564307329).jpg

Identifier: cu31924104730357 (find matches)
Title: The life and habits of wild animals
Year: 1874 (1870s)
Authors: Wolf, Joseph, 1820-1899 Elliot, Daniel Giraud, 1835-1915
Subjects: Animal behavior Birds
Publisher: London, A. Macmillan
Contributing Library: Cornell University Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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attractive birdsfound. Far out at sea, hundreds of miles distant from any land, they flit overthe bleak waters and glean a scanty meal from off the crests of the angry waves,or follow in the wake of swiftly sailing ships, watchful for every morsel thrownover their sides. Although so light of body as to seem to be the sport of everypassing breeze, they battle successfully with the storm, steadying themselves againstthe furious blast on balanced wings, and with repeated tacks, like well-guidedvessels, making headway in the very face of the tempest. The Sea-gull is alwaysat home upon the deep, and, when wearied by a long-continued flight, settlesitself upon the water, and folding carefully its long wings over its back, quietlyrests, unmindful of the waves that toss its light form about, as they swing to thepower of the wind. Some of the breeding resorts of the Sea-gulls are most wonderful places tovisit ; for although many merely deposit their eggs in hollows in the sand, yet PLATE VIM,
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GLEANERS OF THE SEA, GLEANERS OF THE SEA 31 sometimes they associ9.te (for the purpose of rearing their young) with other sea-birds which are accustomed to breed on cHfifs overhanging the sea. At suchplaces, every shelf and narrow ledge is hidden by myriads of Auks, Guillemotsand Puffins which lay their unprotected eggs upon the bare rocks, or in slight holeson the faces of the cliffs ; while farther in the chasms the Gulls resort, and, form-ing colonies of their own, hatch and rear their young in peace. All day long therocks are alive with the countless winged inhabitants, some arriving with food fortheir young, and others departing to seek it; and, should they be suddenly disturbedby any unwelcome intruder, the whole population rises on wing with a noise likethe sound of distant thunder, in numbers that fairly darken the sky. Although socrowded, the different species dwell together in amity, and when their arduovisduties are over depart, each to seek its accustomed haunts, and to en

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