File:The birds of America - from drawings made in the United States and their territories (1840) (14564102767).jpg

Identifier: birdsofamericafr07audu (find matches)
Title: The birds of America : from drawings made in the United States and their territories
Year: 1840 (1840s)
Authors: Audubon, John James, 1785-1851 Bowen, John T., ca. 1801-1856?, lithographer
Subjects: Birds Birds
Publisher: New York : Published by J.J. Audubon Philadelphia : J.B. Chevalier
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Institution Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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in the most northern parts, although I hadexpected to find it breeding on the coasts of Labrador and Newfoundland.Few birds surpass it in power or length of flight. It generally passes throughthe air at a height of fifty or sixty yards, flying in an easy manner, rangingover the broad bays, on which Gulls of various kinds are engaged inprocuring their food. No sooner has it observed that one of them hassecured a fish, than it immediately flies toward it and gives chase. It isalmost impossible for the Gull to escape, for the warrior, with repeatedjerkings of his firm pinions, sweeps towards it with the rapidity of aPeregrine Falcon pouncing on a Duck. Each cut and turn of the Gull onlyirritates him the more and whets his keen appetite, until by two or threesudden dashes, he forces it to disgorge the food it had so lately swallowed.This done, the poor Gull may go in search of more; the Lestris is now forawhile contented, and alights on the water to feed at leisure. But soon. mm. Fl.*53..
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^€> 7*t?£*Xy<. ^V////V! Drawn, /rem. AaluJ-e */VJ.jfu(/a*a/nyAS7-l. S f.iat- Print,i/.VlW? hi-Jr Jhir.y, P.Wffrfl THE ARCTIC JAGER. 193 perceiving a distant flock of Gulls, he rises on wing and speeds towardsthem. Renewing his attacks, he now obtains an abundant supply, and atlength, when quite gorged, searches for a place on which to alight, unseenby any other of his tribe more powerful than himself. When on wing, itsbeautiful long tail-feathers seem at times to afford this bird great assistancein executing short sudden turns, which have often brought to my mind themotions of a greyhound while pursuing a hare. By sudden lashings of itstail, it can instantly turn, or arrest its flight. When it is on the water, itkeeps that part upright, but when on a rock or a floating piece of timber, itallows it to fall in a graceful manner. Although usually seen single, or at most in pairs, during the winter, Iobserved this species in April, on my voyage to the Florida Keys, in flocksof fr

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