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CHAPTER V.

THE SIXTH ORDER.

PALMIPEDES OR SWIMMERS.

The birds of this order are characterised by their feet and legs formed for swimming; that is to say, placed far back on the body, with short and compressed tarsi, and webs between the toes. A close, shining plumage, moistened by an oily secretion, and furnished near the skin with a thick down, protects them from the water, on the surface of which they live. They are also the only birds in which the neck is longer, and sometimes considerably so, than the legs; because, while swimming on the surface, they have frequent occasion to seek their food below it.-Cuvier.

ORDER PALMIPEDES.

The Herring Gull. Silvery Gull.

Larus Argentatus.

FEW persons can have frequented the shores of our island, without observing and admiring the

numerous birds of this tribe, which hover over the rocks, burst screaming from the crags, or ride, with a composure truly wonderful, on the foaming wave. We remember to have heard that some English family bears the gull for its crest, with the motto, "Composed in the midst of storms." Such a device must rank as one of the most tasteful of heraldic decorations. The notes of the gull are anything but musical; yet they mingle well with wind and wave, and harmonize with the scenes in the midst of which these birds are found. Though devoid of the charms of song, they have abundant attractions for the wanderer who watches their movements, and listens to their wild cries in their favourite haunts. How beautiful are they, when seen wheeling their flight over the base of the steep cliffs at sunset, reflecting the golden light on their white wings and breasts, till they look like the dove of the sacred bard, "whose wings are of silver, and her feathers of wrought gold!” And what can be so expressive of reposing confidence and self-possession amidst change and turbulence, as the quiet floating of this pleasant bird on the swell of the billow, as it rolls onward to break in foam upon the rocks, leaving the little swimmer undisturbed on its restless restingplace?

Of the gulls in general, Bewick observes: "The bill is strong and straight, but bent downwards at the point; the nostrils pervious, oblong and narrow, and placed in the middle. The lower mandible has an angular prominence on the under side, which tapers towards, and forms its tip. The tongue is a little cloven. The body is clothed with a great quantity of down and feathers, which, together with the large head and wings, give these birds an appearance of bulk without a proportionate weight. The legs are small, naked above the knees: feet webbed, and the back toe detached, and very small."

Gulls are found in every quarter of the world, and various species frequent our native shores. They are said to be a voracious race, feeding on either flesh or fish in any state in which they can procure it. In consequence of their nature requiring so large a portion of food, they are compelled to use constant exertion to obtain a supply, and are almost continually on the wing, or breasting the wave in search of prey. They fly vast distances, and have been met with more than a hundred leagues from land. It appears to be very difficult for them to procure food amid the violence of tempests and hurricanes, though they are still seen on the ocean, safe amid the war of elements. A naturalist at Na

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ples made some interesting observations on these birds during a tempestuous season. marked that the gulls, which from time to time dropped on the sea, were too light to sink beneath the surface, and were tossed about like mere balls of feather. For a few moments they seemed swallowed up, but presently they were seen again on the summit of the billow, safe as the foam which crested it. From this unstable bed they sprung into the air without difficulty, notwithstanding the length of their wings. From this circumstance it has been thought that gulls, and other birds similarly constituted, when wearied with long-continued flight over the ocean, repose themselves on the bosom of the waters, and when rested, spring again into the air and pursue their course.

The herring-gull, the bird figured above, is so named from its following and preying on the shoals of herrings. It makes its nest, on the projecting ledges of rock. Its eggs, three in number, are of a dull white, spotted with black. This species is remarkable for its watchful habits it is said, indeed, to serve as a sort of sentinel to all the birds, and even the seals within reach of its signal. The moment a sportsman is seen with his gun, it is on the alert, and gives warning of the danger by its loud and clamorous cries.

THE SEA-GULL.

On the far rolling breaker's snowy breast,
The sea-gull presses her silvery breast:
The wave is a pillow of down to her,
She heeds not the element's stormy stir:
She has peace within, and tranquil repose,
As lightly over the ocean she goes.
Her wing in the billowy surges she laves,
Composed in the tempest, at rest on the waves.

Wild, wild as the wind is the sea-bird's cry,
As far over the ocean-cliff's they fly:

It were discord, if heard in the forest glade,
Where mavis and merle sweet music have made ;
But it mingles well with the breaker's roar,
And the blast that sweeps round the rocky shore,
While the tranquil bird in the billow laves,
Composed in the tempest, at rest on the waves.

Did I wish for the lot of birds of the air, Or long in their fleeting perfections to share; It is not the strength of the strongest wing, It is not the sweetest songs that they sing, Nor the sapphire gleam of their gem-like huesIt is not all these that my heart would choose : My spirit the sea-bird's serenity craves, Composed in the tempest, at rest on the waves.