From The Zoologist journal, February, 1869
Little Gull at Looe
Sir -
A little gull was shot here on the 17th of December last year..
On that day, as I was walking through the street, I met a boy with the bird in his hand.
He told me he was taking it to the birdstuffer, so I was satisfied that it was on the right road for preservation.
However, on going to have a further look at it, three or four hours after, I was surprised to find that the so-called birdstuffer had refused it because it was "only a small gull, not worth stuffing.
I immediately called at the boy's home and was promised I should have the bird when the boy came in, he being away from home when I called.
In about an hour, it was brought to me with both wings cut off close to the body, with an opening in the breast, and in a very dirty state,
By dint of much washing and sewing on the wings, I have made a tolerable specimen of it.
The person who shot it tells me there were a dozen or more flying about the mouth of the harbour at the same time, but, as he is altogether ignorant of ornithology, I cannot vouch for the fact.
However, I do not think he would intentionally misinform me.
He says he thought they were sea-swallows.
Stephen Clogg
Looe
Cornwall
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