FISHERMEN AND SEA-GULLS.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]
'SIR,—Perhaps among your many readers some will be found who can record similar instances of the intelligence of the sea-gull to that which came under my observation last week. At the quaint little fishing village of Beer, in East Devon—a favourite haunt of sea-gulls—the presence in the pretty little creek of a large number of sea-birds is always noticeable. It is, in fact, one of the many delightful charms connected with the village. It is pleasant to watch the exquisitely graceful gulls riding upon the waves close to the shore and among the boats going to and fro, and it is also very pleasant to know that the remarkable tameness of the birds is due to the affection shown them by the Beer fishermen, who, to their credit be it said, preserve them with almost re- ligious zeal. In the early mornings, when the men pull their boats to the crab-pots, the gulls follow them, and are fed with fish-offal. They have been known to take food from the fishermen's hands, and often to alight on the boats at sea, and help themselves to bits of fish placed for them on the seats close to the men on board. It is the proud boast of some of the fishermen there that the birds know them. This is as it should be, for the gull is not only a beautiful and harmless bird, but is also, as this and many other instances prove, possessed of sufficient intelligence to discern who are their friends in whom they can place confi- dence. 'Tis a pity they should ever be frightened with the sound of a gun.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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