GULL FAMILY

(Laridae); a family of about 115 species of strong-flying and swimming birds with completely or partially webbed feet. They are mostly marine, and live upon fishes and crustacea, but some have taken to an Inland life, breeding in marshy places and feeding on worms and insect grubs. They are found on all the oceans, Amongst them are the Terns or Sea Swallows (Sterna), so called because of their forked tails—active! graceful birds which lay their eggs in depre ions on sandy shores; with them are reckoned the tropical Noddies (Anous). The Skimmers or Sci or-Bills (Rhynchops), with long, sci or-like beak, the lower mandible of which protrudes far beyond the wpper, occur Africa, §.m. Asia, and America. Lastly, the Gulls and Kittiwakes may be distinguished by po e ing completely webbed feet, a beak shorter than the head, with the upper mandible shorter than the lower, and forming a slight hook at its tip.