. The birds of California : a complete, scientific and popular account of the 580 species and subspecies of birds found in the state. Birds; Birds. The Glaucous-winged Gull ing, grass-covered hillsides are favorite places, and the seclusion of the underbrush is not despised; but the sculptured chambers of sandstone, hollowed by the high-flung chisels of the winter's storms, constitute the ideal setting for a gull's nest. The eggs, barring mishap always three in number, are in color and markings skillful epitomes of their average sur- roundings. The chicks, likewise, are marked for obliteration
. The birds of California : a complete, scientific and popular account of the 580 species and subspecies of birds found in the state. Birds; Birds. The Glaucous-winged Gull ing, grass-covered hillsides are favorite places, and the seclusion of the underbrush is not despised; but the sculptured chambers of sandstone, hollowed by the high-flung chisels of the winter's storms, constitute the ideal setting for a gull's nest. The eggs, barring mishap always three in number, are in color and markings skillful epitomes of their average sur- roundings. The chicks, likewise, are marked for obliteration. They have, moreover, a faculty of absolute movelessness on occasion, which those of us who are parents ardently covet for our six-year Taken in Washington FIRST COME FIRST SERVED Photo by the Author Gull discipline can be very stern while danger lasts; but once let the parents suppose themselves unobserved, and they will lavish every atten- tion upon their offspring. The fish-laden bird, returning from the chase, first disgorges his catch of smelt or the like upon a convenient spot; then in a wheedling voice summons the chicks from hiding. They come skipping up like kids, and fall to, while the doting parents dance attendance and utter incessant blandishments. And after the youngsters have stuffed themselves to repletion, the mother still urges, "Can't Mama's darlings eat just one more fishy?" until the beholder, recalling the ways of his own kind, is almost nauseated. Gulls are credited with "screams" or "cries", but it is not, perhaps, generally understood that the notes of different species are distinctive; or that each species possesses a considerable vocabulary with which to voice 1374. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Dawson, William Leon, 1873-1928
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Photo credit: © Library Book Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1923
