High in the thin keen air, far above the rugged crags of the
desolate shores of Labrador, proudly sails the tyrant Gull, floating
along on almost motionless wing, like an Eagle in his calm and majestic
flight. On widely extended pinions, he moves in large circles,
constantly eyeing the objects below. Harsh and loud are his cries, and
with no pleasant feeling do they come on the winged multitudes below.
Now onward he sweeps, passes over each rocky bay, visits the little
islands, and shoots off towards the mossy heaths, attracted perhaps by
the notes of the Grouse or some other birds. As he flies over each
estuary, lake, or pool, the breeding birds prepare to defend their
unfledged broods, or ensure their escape from the powerful beak of their
remorseless spoiler. Even the shoals of the finny tribes sink deeper
into the waters as he approaches; the young birds become silent in their
nests or seek for safety in the clefts of the rocks; the Guillemots and
Gannets dread to look up, and the other Gulls, unable to cope with the
destroyer, give way as he advances. Far off among the rolling billows,
he spies the carcass of some monster of the deep, and, on steady wing,
glides off towards it. Alighting on the huge whale, he throws upwards
his head, opens his bill, and, louder and fiercer than ever, sends his
cries through the air. Leisurely he walks over the putrid mass, and now,
assured that all is safe, he tears, tugs, and swallows piece after
piece, until he is crammed to the throat, when he lays himself down
surfeited and exhausted, to rest for awhile in the feeble sheen of the
northern sun. Great, however, are the powers of his stomach, and ere
long the half-putrid food which, vulture-like, he has devoured, is
digested. Like all gluttons, he loves variety, and away he flies to some
well-known isle, where thousands of young birds or eggs are to be found.
There, without remorse, he breaks the shells, swallows their contents,
and begins leisurely to devour the helpless young. Neither the cries of
the parents, nor all their attempts to drive the plunderer away, can
induce him to desist until he has again satisfied his ever-craving
appetite. But although tyrannical, the Great Gull is a coward, and
meanly does he sneak off when he sees the Skua fly up, which, smaller as
it is, yet evinces a thoughtless intrepidity, that strikes the ravenous
and merciless bird with terror.
If we compare this species with some other of its tribe, and mark
its great size, its powerful flight, and its robust constitution, we
cannot but wonder to find its range so limited during the breeding
season. Few individuals are to be found northward of the entrance into
Baffin's Bay, and rarely are they met with beyond this, as no mention is
made of them by Dr. RICHARDSON in the Fauna Boreali-Americana. Along our
coast, none breed farther south than the eastern extremity of Maine. The
western shores of Labrador, along an extent of about three hundred
miles, afford the stations to which this species resorts during spring
and summer; there it is abundant, and there it was that I studied its
habits.
The farthest limits of the winter migrations of the young, so far
as I have observed, are the middle portions of the eastern coast of the
Floridas. While at St. Augustine, in the winter of 1831, I saw several
pairs keeping, company with the young Brown Pelican, more as a matter of
interest than of friendship, as they frequently chased them as if to
force them to disgorge a portion of their earnings, acting much in the
same manner as the Lestris does toward the smaller Gulls, but without
any effect. They were extremely shy, alighted only on the outer edges of
the outer sand-bars, and could not be approached, as they regularly
walked off before my party the moment any of us moved towards them,
until reaching the last projecting point, they flew off, and never
stopped while in sight. At what period they left that coast I am unable
to say. Some are seen scattered along our sea-shores, from the Floridas
to the Middle States, there being but few old birds among them; but the
species does not become abundant until beyond the eastern extremities of
the Connecticut and Long Island, when their number greatly increases the
farther you proceed. On the whole of that extensive range, these birds
are very shy and wary, and those which are procured are merely
"chance shots." They seldom advance far up the bays, unless
forced to do so by severe weather or heavy gales; and although I have
seen this bird on our great lakes, I do not remember having ever
observed an individual on any of our eastern rivers, at a distance from
the sea, whereas the Larus argentatus is frequently found in such
places.
Towards the commencement of summer, these wandering birds are seen
abandoning the waters of the ocean to tarry for awhile on the wild
shores of Labrador, dreary and desolate to man, but to them delightful
as affording all that they can desire. One by one they arrive, the older
individuals first. As they view from afar the land of their birth, that
moment they emit their loud cries, with all the joy a traveller feels
when approaching his loved home. The males sooner or later fall in with
the females of their choice, and together they proceed to some secluded
sand-bar, where they fill the air with their furious laughs until the
rocks echo again. Should the student of nature happen to be a distant
spectator of these meetings, he too must have much enjoyment. Each male
bows, moves around his mate, and no doubt discloses to her the ardour of
his love. Matters are managed to the satisfaction of all parties, yet
day after day for awhile, at the retreat of the waters, they meet as if
by mutual agreement. Now you see them dressing their plumage, DOW
partially expanding their wings to the sun; some lay themselves
comfortably down on the sand, while others, supported by one foot, stand
side by side. The waters again advance, and the Gulls all move off in
search of food. At length the time has arrived; small parties of a few
pairs fly towards the desert isles. Some remain in the nearest to
prepare their nests, the rest proceed, until each pair has found a
suitable retreat, and before a fortnight has elapsed, incubation has
commenced.
The nest of this species is usually placed on the bare rock of
some low island, sometimes beneath a projecting shelf, sometimes in a
wide fissure. In Labrador it is formed of moss and sea-weeds carefully
arranged, and has a diameter of about two feet, being raised on the
edges to the height of five or six inches, but seldom more than two
inches thick in the centre, where feathers, dry grass, and other
materials are added. The eggs are three, and in no instance have I found
more. They are two inches and seven-eighths in length, by two inches and
one-eighth in breadth, broadly ovate, rough but not granulated, of a
pale earthy greenish-grey colour, irregularly blotched and spotted with
brownish-black, dark umber, and dull purple. Like those of most other
Gulls, they afford good eating. This species lays from the middle of May
to that of June, and raises only one brood in the season. The birds
never leave their eggs for any length of time, until the young make
their appearance. Both sexes incubate, the sitting bird being supplied
with food by the other. During the first week, the young are fed by
having their supplies disgorged into their bill, but when they have
attained some size, the food is dropped beside or before them. When they
are approached by man, they walk with considerable speed towards some
hiding place, or to the nearest projecting ledge, beneath which they
squat. When five or six weeks old, they take to the water, to ensure
their escape, and swim with great buoyancy. If caught, they cry in the
manner of their parents. On the 18th of June, several small ones were
procured and placed on the deck of the Ripley, where they walked with
ease and picked up the food thrown to them. As soon as one was about to
swallow its portion, another would run up, seize it, tug at it, and if
stronger, carry it off and devour it. On the 23d of that month, two
individuals, several weeks old, and partly fledged, were also brought on
board. Their notes, although feeble, perfectly resembled those of their
parents. They ate greedily of every thing that was offered to them. When
fatigued they sat with their tarsi placed on the ground and extended
forward, in the manner of all the Herons, which gave them a very
ludicrous appearance. Ere a month had elapsed, they appeared to have
formed a complete acquaintance with the cook and several of the sailors,
had become quite fat, and conducted themselves much like Vultures, for
if a dead Duck, or even a Gull of their own species, were thrown to
them, they would tear it in pieces, drink the blood, and swallow the
flesh in large morsels, each trying to rob the others of what they had
torn from the carcass. They never drank water, but not unfrequently
washed the blood and filth from their bills, by immersing them and then
shaking the head violently. These birds were fed until they were nearly
able to fly. Now and then, the sailors would throw them overboard while
we were in harbour. This seemed to gratify the birds as well as the
sailors, for they would swim about, wash themselves, and dress their
plumage, after which they would make for the sides, and would be taken
on board. During a violent gale, one night, while we were at anchor in
the harbour of Bras d'Or, our bark rolled heavily, and one of our pets
went over the side and swam to the shore, where, after considerable
search next day, it was found shivering by the lee of a rock. On being
brought to its brothers, it was pleasant to see their mutual
congratulations, which were extremely animated. Before we left the
coast, they would sometimes fly of their own accord into the water to
bathe, but could not return to the deck without assistance, although
they endeavoured to do so. I had become much attached to them, and now
and then thought they looked highly interesting, as they lay panting on
their sides on the deck, although the thermometer did not rise above 55
degrees. Their enmity to my son's pointer was quite remarkable, and as
that animal was of a gentle and kindly disposition, they would tease
him, bite him, and drive him fairly from the deck into the cabin. A few
days after leaving St. George's Bay in Newfoundland, we were assailed by
a violent gale, and obliged to lie-to. Next day one of the Gulls was
washed overboard. It tried to reach the vessel again, but in vain; the
gale continued; the sailors told me the bird was swimming towards the
shore, which was not so far off as we could have wished, and which it
probably reached in safety. The other was given to my friend Lieutenant
GREEN of the United States army, at Eastport in Maine. In one of his
letters to me the following winter, he said that the young Larus marinus
was quite a pet in the garrison, and doing very well, but that no
perceptible change had taken place in its plumage.
On referring to my journal again, I find that while we were at
anchor at the head of St. George's Bay, the sailors caught many
codlings, of which each of our young Gulls swallowed daily two,
measuring from eight to ten inches in length. It was curious to see them
after such a meal: the form of the fish could be traced along the neck,
which for awhile they were obliged to keep stretched out; they gaped and
were evidently suffering; yet they would not throw tip the fish. About
the time the young of this species are nearly able to fly, they are
killed in considerable numbers on their breeding-grounds, skinned and
salted for the settlers and resident fishermen of Labrador and
Newfoundland, at which latter place I saw piles of them. When they are
able to shift for themselves, their parents completely abandon them, and
old and young go separately in search of food.
The flight of the Great Black-backed Gull is firm, steady, at
times elegant, rather swift, and long protracted. While travelling, it
usually flies at the height of fifty or sixty yards, and proceeds in a
direct course, with easy, regulated flappings. Should the weather prove
tempestuous, this Gull, like most others, skims over the surface of the
waters or the land within a few yards or even feet, meeting the gale,
but not yielding to it, and forcing its way against the strongest wind.
In calm weather and sunshine, at all seasons of the year, it is fond of
soaring to a great height, where it flies about leisurely and with
considerable elegance for half an hour or so, in the manner of Eagles,
Vultures, and Ravens. Now and then, while pursuing a bird of its own
species, or trying to escape from an enemy, it passes through the air
with rapid boundings, which, however, do not continue long, and as soon
as they are over it rises and slowly sails in circles. When man
encroaches on its domains, it keeps over him at a safe distance, not
sailing so much as moving to either side with continued flappings. To
secure the fishes on which it more usually preys, it sweeps downwards
with velocity, and as it glides over the spot, picks up its prey with
its bill. If the fish be small, the Gull swallows it on wing, but if
large, it either alights on the water, or flies to the nearest shore to
devour it.
Although a comparatively silent bird for three-fourths of the
year, the Great Black-backed Gull becomes very noisy at the approach of
the breeding season, and continues so until the young are well fledged,
after which it resumes its silence. Its common notes, when it is
interrupted or surprised, sound like cack, cack, cack. While courting,
they are softer and more lengthened, and resemble the syllables cawah,
which are often repeated as it sails in circles or otherwise, within
view of its mate or its place of abode.
This species walks well, moving firmly and with an air of
importance. On the water it swims lightly but slowly, and may soon be
overtaken by a boat. It has no power of diving although at times, when
searching for food along the shores, it will enter the water on seeing a
crab or a lobster, to seize it, in which it at times succeeds. I saw one
at Labrador plunge after a large crab in about two feet of water, when,
after a tug, it hauled it ashore, where it devoured it in my sight. I
watched its movements with a glass, and could easily observe how it tore
the crab to pieces, swallowed its body, leaving the shell and the claws,
after which it flew off to its young and disgorged before them.
It is extremely voracious, and devours all sorts of food excepting
vegetables, even the most putrid carrion, but prefers fresh fish, young
birds, or small quadrupeds, whenever they can be procured. It sucks the
eggs of every bird it can find, thus destroying great numbers of them,
as well as the parents, if weak or helpless. I have frequently seen
these Gulls attack a flock of young Ducks while swimming beside their
mother, when the latter, if small, would have to take to wing, and the
former would all dive, but were often caught on rising to the surface,
unless they happened to be among rushes. The Eider Duck is the only one
of the tribe that risks her life, on such occasions, to save that of her
young. She will frequently rise from the water, as her brood disappear
beneath, and keep the Gull at bay, or harass it until her little ones
are safe under some shelving rocks, when she flies off in another
direction, leaving the enemy to digest his disappointment. But while the
poor Duck is sitting on her eggs in any open situation, the marauder
assails her, and forces her off, when he sucks the eggs in her very
sight. Young Grouse are also the prey of this Gull, which chases them
over the moss-covered rocks, and devours them before their parents. It
follows the shoals of fishes for hours at a time, and usually with great
success. On the coast of Labrador, I frequently saw these birds seize
flounders on the edges of the shallows; they often attempted to swallow
them whole, but, finding this impracticable, removed to some rock, beat
them, and tore them to pieces. They appear to digest feathers, bones,
and other hard substances with ease, seldom disgorging their food,
unless for the purpose of feeding their young or mates, or when wounded
and approached by man, or when pursued by some bird of greater power.
While at Boston in Massachusetts, one cold winter morning, I saw one of
these Gulls take up an eel, about fifteen or eighteen inches in length,
from a mud bank. The Gull rose with difficulty, and after some trouble
managed to gulp the head of the fish, and flew towards the shore with
it, when a White-headed Eagle made its appearance, and soon overtook the
Gull, which reluctantly gave up the eel, on which the Eagle glided
towards it, and, seizing it with its talons, before it reached the
water, carried it off.
This Gull is excessively shy and vigilant, so that even at
Labrador we found it difficult to procure it, nor did we succeed in
obtaining more than about a dozen old birds, and that only by stratagem.
They watched our movements with so much care as never to fly past a rock
behind which one of the party might be likely to lie concealed. None
were shot near the nests when they were sitting on their eggs, and only
one female attempted to rescue her young, and was shot as she
accidentally flew within distance. The time to surprise them was during
violent gales, for then they flew close to the tops of the highest
rocks, where we took care to conceal ourselves for the purpose. When we
approached the rocky islets on which they bred, they left the place as
soon as they became aware of our intentions, cackled and barked loudly,
and when we returned, followed us at a distance more than a mile.
They begin to moult early in July. In the beginning of August the
young were seen searching for food by themselves, and even far apart. By
the 12th of that month they had all left Labrador. We saw them
afterwards along the coast of Newfoundland, and while crossing the Gulf
of St. Lawrence, and found them over the bays of Nova Scotia, as we
proceeded southward. When old, their flesh is tough and unfit for food.
Their feathers are elastic, and good for pillows and such purposes, but
can rarely be procured in sufficient quantity.
The most remarkable circumstance relative to these birds is, that
they either associate with another species, giving rise to a hybrid
brood, or that when very old they lose the dark colour of the back,
which is then of the same tint as that of the Larus argentatus, or even
lighter. This curious fact was also remarked by the young gentlemen who
accompanied me to Labrador; and although it is impossible for me to
clear up the doubts that may be naturally entertained on this subject,
whichever of the two suppositions is adopted, the fact may yet be
established and accounted for by persons who may have better
opportunities of watching them and studying their habits. No individuals
of Larus argentatus were, to my knowledge, seen on that coast during the
three months which I passed there, and the fishermen told us that the
"saddle-backs were the only large Gulls that ever breed
there."
This bird must be of extraordinary longevity, as I have seen one
that was kept in a state of captivity more than thirty years. The
following very interesting account of the habits of a partially
domesticated individual I owe to my esteemed and learned friend Dr.
NEILL of Edinburgh.
"In the course of the summer of 1818, a "big
scoria" was brought to me by a Newhaven fisher-boy, who mentioned
that it had been picked up at sea, about the mouth of the Frith of
Forth. The bird was not then fully fledged: it was quite uninjured: it
quickly learned to feed on potatoes and kitchen refuse, along with some
Ducks; and it soon became more familiar than they, often peeping in at
the kitchen window in hopes of getting a bit of fat meat, which it
relished highly. It used to follow my servant PEGGY OLIVER about the
doors, expanding its wings and vociferating for food. After two moults I
was agreeably surprised to find it assuming the dark plumage of the
back, and the shape and colour of the bill of the Larus marinus, or
Great Black-backed Gull; for I had hitherto regarded it as merely a
large specimen of the Lesser Black-backed (L. fuscus), a pair of which I
then possessed, but which had never allowed the new comer to associate
with them. The bird being perfectly tame, we did not take the precaution
of keeping the quills of one wing cut short, so as to prevent flight;
indeed, as it was often praised as a remarkably large and noble looking
Sea-maw, we did not like to disfigure it. In the winter of 1821-2, it
got a companion in a cock-heron, which had been wounded in Coldinghame
Muir, brought to Edinburgh alive, and kept for some weeks in a cellar in
the old college, and then presented to me by the late Mr. JOHN WILSON,
the janitor,--a person remarkably distinguished for his attachment to
natural history pursuits. This Heron we succeeded in taming completely,
and it still (1835) remains with me, having the whole garden to range
in, the trees to roost upon, and access to the loch at pleasure, the
loch being the boundary of my garden. Some time in the spring of 1822,
the large Gull was missing; and we ascertained (in some way that has now
escaped my memory) that it had not been stolen, nor killed, as we at
first supposed, but had taken flight, passing northwards over the
village, and had probably therefore gone to sea. Of course I gave up all
expectation of ever hearing more of it. It was not without surprise,
therefore, that on going home one day in the end of October of that
year, I heard my servant calling out with great exultation, "Sir,
Big Gull is come back!" I accordingly found him walking about in
his old haunts in the garden, in company with, and recognising (as I am
firmly persuaded) his old friend the Heron. He disappeared in the
evening, and returned in the morning, for several days; when PEGGY
OLIVER thought it best to secure him. He evidently did not like
confinement, and it was concerted that he should be allowed his liberty,
although he ran much risk of being shot on the mill-pond by youthful
sportsmen from Edinburgh. After this temporary captivity, he was more
cautious and shy than formerly; but still he made almost daily visits to
the garden, and picked up herrings or other food laid down for him. In
the beginning of March 1823 his visits ceased; and we saw no more of him
till late in the autumn of that year. These winter visits to Canonmills,
and summer excursions to the unknown breeding-place, were continued for
years with great uniformity: only I remarked that after the Gull lost
his protectress, who died in 1826 ,
he became more distant in his manners. In my note-book, under date of
26th October, 1829, I find this entry: 'Old PEGGY's Great Black-backed
Gull arrived at the pond this morning, the seventh (or eighth) winter he
has regularly returned. He had a scorie with him, which was soon shot on
the loch, by some cockney sportsman.' The young bird, doubtless one of
his offspring, had its wing shattered, and continued alive in the middle
of the pond, occasionally screaming piteously, for two or three days,
till relieved by death. The old Gull immediately abandoned the place for
that winter, as if reproaching us for cruelty. By next autumn, however,
he seemed to have forgotten the injury; for, according to my record,
'30th October, 1830. The Great Black-backed Gull once more arrived at
Canonmills garden.' The periods of arrival, residence, and departure
were nearly similar in the following year. But in 1832, not only
October, but the months of November and December passed away without
Gull's making his appearance, and I of course despaired of again seeing
him. He did, however, at length arrive. The following is the entry in my
common-place book: 'Sunday, 6th January, 1833. This day the Great
Black-back returned to the mill-pond, for (I think) the eleventh season.
He used to re-appear in October in former years, and I concluded him
dead or shot. He recognised my voice, and hovered over my head.' He
disappeared early in March as usual, and reappeared at Canonmills on 23d
December, 1833, being a fortnight earlier than the date of his arrival
in the preceding season, but six weeks later than the original period of
reappearance. He left in the beginning of March as usual, and I find
from my notes that he 'reappeared on 30th December, 1834, for the
season, first hovering around and then alighting on the pond as in
former years.' The latest entry is, '11th March, 1835. The Black-backed
Gull was here yesterday, but has not been seen to-day; nor do I expect
to see him till November.'
"This Gull has often attracted the attention of persons
passing the village of Canonmills, by reason of its sweeping along so
low or near the ground, and on account of the wide expanse of wing which
it thus displays. It is well known to the boys of the village as "NEILL's
Gull," and has, I am aware, owed its safety more than once to their
interference, in informing passing sportsmen of its history. When it
first arrives in the autumn, it is in the regular habit of making many
circular sweeps around the pond and garden, at a considerable elevation,
as if reconnoitring; it then gradually lowers its flight, and gently
alights about the centre of the pond. Upon the gardener's mounting the
garden-wall with a fish in his hand, the Gull moves towards the
overhanging spray of some large willow-trees, so as to catch what may be
thrown to him, before it sinks in the water. There can be no doubt
whatever of the identity of the bird. Indeed, he unequivocally shews
that he recognises my voice when I call aloud 'Gull, Gull;' for whether
he be on wing or afloat, he immediately approaches me.
"A few pairs of the Great Black-backed Gull breed at the Bass
Rock yearly, and it seems highly probable that my specimen had
originally been hatched there. If I may be allowed a conjecture, I would
suppose that, after attaining maturity, he for some years resorted to
the same spot for the purpose of breeding; but that of late years,
having lost his mate or encountered some other disaster, he has extended
his migration for that purpose to some very distant locality, which has
rendered his return to winter quarters six weeks later than
formerly."
LARUS MARINUS, Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 225.
BLACK-BACKED GULL or COBB, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 308.
GREAT BLACKED-BILLED GULL, Larus marinus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol.
iii.p. 305; vol. v. p. 636.
Male, 29 1/2, 67.
Not uncommon during winter as far south as Florida, the young
especially. Common from New York to Labrador, where it breeds. Lake
Erie, Ontario, the St. Lawrence, Ohio, and Mississippi rivers. Columbia
river.
Adult Male in summer.
Bill shorter than the head, robust, compressed, higher near the
end than at the base. Upper mandible with the dorsal line nearly
straight at the base, declinate and arched towards the end, the ridge
convex, the sides slightly convex, the edges sharp, inflected,
arcuate-declinate towards the end, the tip rather obtuse. Nasal groove
rather long and narrow; nostril in its fore part, lateral, longitudinal,
linear, wider anteriorly, pervious. Lower mandible with the angle long
and narrow, the outline of the crura rather concave, as is that of the
remaining part of the mandible, a prominent angle being formed at their
meeting, the sides nearly flat, the edges sharp and inflected.
Head rather large, oblong, narrowed anteriorly. Neck of moderate
length, strong. Body full. Wings long. Feet of moderate length, rather
slender; tibia bare below; tarsus somewhat compressed, covered
anteriorly with numerous scutella, laterally with angular scales, behind
with numerous small oblong scales; hind toe very small and elevated, the
fore toes of moderate length, rather slender, the fourth longer than the
second, the third longest, all scutellate above, and connected by
reticulated entire membranes, the lateral toes margined externally with
a narrow membrane. Claws small, slightly arched, depressed, rounded,
that of middle toe with an expanded inner margin.
The plumage in general is close, full, elastic, very soft and
blended, on the back rather compact. Wings very long, broad, acute, the
first quill longest, the second scarcely shorter, the rest of the
primaries rather rapidly graduated; secondaries broad and rounded, the
inner narrower. Tail of moderate length, even, of twelve rounded
feathers.
Bill gamboge-yellow, the lower mandible bright carmine towards the
end. Edges of eyelids bright carmine, iris silvery. Feet yellow, claws
black. The head, neck, and all the lower parts, pure white; back and
wings deep blackish-grey tinged with purple, or dark slate-colour; the
rump and tail white, as are the edges of the wing, and a large portion
of the extremities of all the quills; the second, third, fourth, and
fifth primaries have a broad band of black across their ends, the inner
web only of the second being so marked, in some specimens however both
webs. The oesophagus is very large, the gizzard small, the intestine
four feet long, and about the thickness of a goose quill.
Length to end of tail 29 3/4 inches, to end of wings 31 1/2, to
end of claws 29 1/4; extent of wings 67; wing from flexure 20; tail 9;
bill along the ridge 2 10/12, along the edge of lower mandible 3 9/12
its depth at the angle 1, at the base 11/12; tarsus 3 2/12; middle toe 2
1/2, its claw 1/2. Weight 3 lbs.
The Female is similar to the male, but considerably less.
The Young, when fledged, have the bill brownish-black, the iris
dark brown, the feet as in the adult. The head and neck are greyish-white,
streaked with pale brownish-grey; the upper parts mottled with
brownish-black, brownish-grey, and dull white, the rump paler. The
primary quills blackish-brown, slightly tipped with brownish-white; the
tail-feathers white, with a large brownish-black patch towards the end,
larger on the middle feathers, which are also barred towards the base
with dusky. The lower parts are greyish-white, the sides and lower
tail-coverts obscurely mottled with greyish-brown.
Male, from Dr. T. M. BREWER. The mouth is of moderate width, its
breadth being 1 inch 9 twelfths; the palate flat, with two very
prominent papillate ridges, and four series of intervening papillae; on
the upper mandible beneath are five ridges, and the horny edges are
prominent and thin, but very strong; the posterior aperture of the nares
linear, 1 inch 9 twelfths long. The tongue is 2 inches 2 twelfths in
length, fleshy above, horny beneath, rather narrow, deeply channelled,
the base emarginate and finely papillate, the tip narrowly rounded.
The left lobe of the liver is larger than the right, which,
however, is more elongated, being 4 inches in length, the other 3
inches; the gall-bladder oblong, 1 inch 2 twelfths by 7 twelfths. There
is a large accumulation of fat under the parietes of the abdomen, and
appended to the stomach.
The oesophagus is 14 inches long; at the commencement its width is
2 1/2 inches, it then contracts to 1 inch 9 twelfths, at the lower part
of the neck enlarges to 2 inches, and towards the proventriculus to 2
1/2 inches; it then suddenly contracts at the commencement of the
stomach. This organ is rather small, and of an oblong form, 2 1/2 inches
long, 1 inch 9 twelfths broad; the lateral muscles of moderate size, the
inferior prominent, the tendons large and radiated; the epithelium
extremely dense, thick, with strong, longitudinal ridges, and of a
bright red colour. It contains remains of crabs. The provetitricular
glands, which are very small, being 1 1/2 twelfths in length, and 1/4
twelfth broad, form a belt 1 1/4 inches in breadth, traversed by very
prominent rugae, continuous with those of the stomach. The inner
membrane of the oesophagus is strongly plaited, and that part is capable
of being distended to 3 inches. The intestine is 50 inches long, its
greatest width 4 1/2 twelfths; the coeca 1/2 inch long, 1/4 inch wide,
their distance from the extremity 5 inches; the rectum is 8 twelfths in
width, and the cloaca forms a globular dilatation 1 1/2 inches in
diameter.
The trachea is 12 inches long; at the top 7 1/2 twelfths wide
gradually contracting to 4 1/2 twelfths, considerably flattened, its
rings slightly ossified, 148 in number, of moderate breadth, very thin,
contracted in the middle line before and behind; the last half ring is
large, moderately arched. In this, as in all the other Gulls, there is a
pair of slender muscles arising from the sides of the thyroid bone in
front, separating from the trachea, attaching themselves to the
subcutaneous cellular tissue, and inserted into the furcula. Another
pair arise from the same bone in front, spreading over the whole
anterior surface of the trachea, then become collected on the sides,
send off a slip to the costal process of the sternum, and continue
narrow, to be inserted into the last arched half-ring of the trachea;
thus forming what is called a single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles.
Bronchi wide, each with 28 half rings.
"PEGGY OLIVER was remarkable for the zeal and taste she displayed
in the domesticating of uncommon animals, as well as in the culture of
plants: her expertness in the latter department is noticed and praised
by Mr. LOUDON in his Gardener's Magazine. Her funeral was attended by
some of the most distinguished naturalists here, and, among others, by
your friend Dr. MACCULLOCH of Pictou, who happened to be in Edinburgh at
the time, and whose friendship I have also the happiness to enjoy." |