The Probert Encyclopaedia of Nature

GULL

Gull is the general name of a family of birds distinguished by their straight bill, bending downwards towards the point, and marked below the under mandible by a triangular prominence, by their large wings, slender legs, palmated feet, and small hind toe. They swim well, but cannot dive. Their flight is rapid and long sustained. They are extremely voracious, and feed on every kind of animal food, putrid or fresh. Their principal food is fish, which they catch with great agility, darting down like an arrow. They breed only once a year, laying two to four eggs. The species are exceedingly numerous, and resemble each other greatly. Among the principal are the common gull which breeds on the coast, or inland in moory districts; the lesser black-backed gull; the black-headed gull, of which the masked gull is only a variety; the ivory gull; the Iceland gull, distinguished by its white quill feathers from the herring gull, the great black-backed gull; the burgomaster; the little gull; sabine's gull; the kittiwake, etc.
Research Gull