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11/09/95

A few months ago, there was a thread re the possibility / disbelief /
incredibleness / arrgghhness of a gull eating a pigeon or other medium-
sized birds. Someone (I forget who now) mentioned seeing footage of
such a thing. I tracked this down, at my local library, and I wanted to
let you-all know taht now, on video, I have seen a Greater-bl-backed Gull
eat an Atlantic Puffin. This puffin, at 12.5" length, is smaller than our
Tufted at 15"; the GBBG is larger at 65" wings / 30" body than our
Gl-Winged Gull at 58" wings / 26" body (Natl Geo book meas) but the
deed has been seen, nevertheless:

David Attenborough's Trials of Life, "Hunting and Escaping" part of a
multi-volume series. Great stuff -- for the strong of stomach.

Alan Richards / Naselle WA / alanr at ednet1.osl.or.gov
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