Chapter I · Gulls and Terns

anew

From this reading Again, many of them are migratory, or of wandering habits; some but summer visitors, others winter refugees.

surrounded by; in the company of

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The wide waters of the ocean and its varied coast-line of cliff or sand, shingle or mud-flat, are the haunts of many birds of specialised type.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Many of these birds are only found on or near the sea; they are as inseparably associated with it as the beautiful shells and seaweeds and anemones themselves.

the regions to the north of the Arctic Circle centered on the North Pole

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Many of these birds are only found on or near the sea; they are as inseparably associated with it as the beautiful shells and seaweeds and anemones themselves.

past form of “associate” — make a logical or causal connection

From this reading Many of these birds are only found on or near the sea; they are as inseparably associated with it as the beautiful shells and seaweeds and anemones themselves.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Some of these birds are common and widely distributed; others are scarce or local in their habitat; some frequent the shore, others the water; whilst many are equally at home on both.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading Many of these birds are only found on or near the sea; they are as inseparably associated with it as the beautiful shells and seaweeds and anemones themselves.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Some of these birds are common and widely distributed; others are scarce or local in their habitat; some frequent the shore, others the water; whilst many are equally at home on both.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Again, many of them are migratory, or of wandering habits; some but summer visitors, others winter refugees.

plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

plural of “characteristic” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

a steep high face of rock

From this reading The wide waters of the ocean and its varied coast-line of cliff or sand, shingle or mud-flat, are the haunts of many birds of specialised type.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The wide waters of the ocean and its varied coast-line of cliff or sand, shingle or mud-flat, are the haunts of many birds of specialised type.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

oppose, as in hostility or a competition

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

perceived or discerned

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

spread out or scattered about or divided up

From this reading Some of these birds are common and widely distributed; others are scarce or local in their habitat; some frequent the shore, others the water; whilst many are equally at home on both.

to the same degree (often followed by “as”)

From this reading Some of these birds are common and widely distributed; others are scarce or local in their habitat; some frequent the shore, others the water; whilst many are equally at home on both.

a social unit living together

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

set up or found

From this reading Many of these birds are only found on or near the sea; they are as inseparably associated with it as the beautiful shells and seaweeds and anemones themselves.

do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of

From this reading Some of these birds are common and widely distributed; others are scarce or local in their habitat; some frequent the shore, others the water; whilst many are equally at home on both.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

make a fool or dupe of

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

the type of environment in which an organism or group normally lives or occurs

From this reading Some of these birds are common and widely distributed; others are scarce or local in their habitat; some frequent the shore, others the water; whilst many are equally at home on both.

plural of “habit” — an established custom

From this reading Again, many of them are migratory, or of wandering habits; some but summer visitors, others winter refugees.

plural of “haunt” — a frequently visited place

From this reading The wide waters of the ocean and its varied coast-line of cliff or sand, shingle or mud-flat, are the haunts of many birds of specialised type.

valuable flesh of fatty fish from shallow waters of northern Atlantic or Pacific; usually salted or pickled

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Some of these birds are common and widely distributed; others are scarce or local in their habitat; some frequent the shore, others the water; whilst many are equally at home on both.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Some of these birds are common and widely distributed; others are scarce or local in their habitat; some frequent the shore, others the water; whilst many are equally at home on both.

without possibility of separation

From this reading Many of these birds are only found on or near the sea; they are as inseparably associated with it as the beautiful shells and seaweeds and anemones themselves.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Many of these birds are only found on or near the sea; they are as inseparably associated with it as the beautiful shells and seaweeds and anemones themselves.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The wide waters of the ocean and its varied coast-line of cliff or sand, shingle or mud-flat, are the haunts of many birds of specialised type.

small pearl-grey gull of northern regions; nests on cliffs and has a rudimentary hind toe

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

of less size or importance

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area

From this reading Some of these birds are common and widely distributed; others are scarce or local in their habitat; some frequent the shore, others the water; whilst many are equally at home on both.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

used of animals that move seasonally

From this reading Again, many of them are migratory, or of wandering habits; some but summer visitors, others winter refugees.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The wide waters of the ocean and its varied coast-line of cliff or sand, shingle or mud-flat, are the haunts of many birds of specialised type.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Many of these birds are only found on or near the sea; they are as inseparably associated with it as the beautiful shells and seaweeds and anemones themselves.

not one, and not any

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere

From this reading The wide waters of the ocean and its varied coast-line of cliff or sand, shingle or mud-flat, are the haunts of many birds of specialised type.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Many of these birds are only found on or near the sea; they are as inseparably associated with it as the beautiful shells and seaweeds and anemones themselves.

and nothing more

From this reading Many of these birds are only found on or near the sea; they are as inseparably associated with it as the beautiful shells and seaweeds and anemones themselves.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The wide waters of the ocean and its varied coast-line of cliff or sand, shingle or mud-flat, are the haunts of many birds of specialised type.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Some of these birds are common and widely distributed; others are scarce or local in their habitat; some frequent the shore, others the water; whilst many are equally at home on both.

the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

without much difficulty

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

plural of “refugee” — an exile who flees for safety

From this reading Again, many of them are migratory, or of wandering habits; some but summer visitors, others winter refugees.

possessive form of “richardson” — United States architect (1838-1886)

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

of something having a dusty purplish pink color

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading The wide waters of the ocean and its varied coast-line of cliff or sand, shingle or mud-flat, are the haunts of many birds of specialised type.

two (or more) slices of bread with a filling between them

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

only a very short time before

From this reading Some of these birds are common and widely distributed; others are scarce or local in their habitat; some frequent the shore, others the water; whilst many are equally at home on both.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

plural of “seaweed” — plant growing in the sea, especially marine algae

From this reading Many of these birds are only found on or near the sea; they are as inseparably associated with it as the beautiful shells and seaweeds and anemones themselves.

plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun

From this reading Many of these birds are only found on or near the sea; they are as inseparably associated with it as the beautiful shells and seaweeds and anemones themselves.

building material used as siding or roofing

From this reading The wide waters of the ocean and its varied coast-line of cliff or sand, shingle or mud-flat, are the haunts of many birds of specialised type.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading Some of these birds are common and widely distributed; others are scarce or local in their habitat; some frequent the shore, others the water; whilst many are equally at home on both.

gull-like jaeger of northern seas

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Some of these birds are common and widely distributed; others are scarce or local in their habitat; some frequent the shore, others the water; whilst many are equally at home on both.

developed or designed for a special activity or function

From this reading The wide waters of the ocean and its varied coast-line of cliff or sand, shingle or mud-flat, are the haunts of many birds of specialised type.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading Again, many of them are migratory, or of wandering habits; some but summer visitors, others winter refugees.

small slender gull having narrow wings and a forked tail

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

plural of “tern” — small slender gull having narrow wings and a forked tail

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Some of these birds are common and widely distributed; others are scarce or local in their habitat; some frequent the shore, others the water; whilst many are equally at home on both.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Again, many of them are migratory, or of wandering habits; some but summer visitors, others winter refugees.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Many of these birds are only found on or near the sea; they are as inseparably associated with it as the beautiful shells and seaweeds and anemones themselves.

in or at that place or location

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Many of these birds are only found on or near the sea; they are as inseparably associated with it as the beautiful shells and seaweeds and anemones themselves.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Many of these birds are only found on or near the sea; they are as inseparably associated with it as the beautiful shells and seaweeds and anemones themselves.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

a subdivision of a particular kind of thing

From this reading The wide waters of the ocean and its varied coast-line of cliff or sand, shingle or mud-flat, are the haunts of many birds of specialised type.

characterized by variety

From this reading The wide waters of the ocean and its varied coast-line of cliff or sand, shingle or mud-flat, are the haunts of many birds of specialised type.

someone who visits

From this reading _The Gull Family—Changes of Plumage—Characteristics—Great Black-backed Gull—Lesser Black-backed Gull—Herring Gull—Common Gull—Kittiwake—Black-headed Gull—Skuas—Great Skua—Richardson’s Skua—Terns—Sandwich Tern—Common Tern—Arctic Tern—Roseate Tern—Lesser Tern—Black Tern._ Amongst the many natural objects that confront the visitor to the sea, there are none more readily detected than birds.

plural of “visitor” — someone who visits

From this reading Again, many of them are migratory, or of wandering habits; some but summer visitors, others winter refugees.

migratory

From this reading Again, many of them are migratory, or of wandering habits; some but summer visitors, others winter refugees.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Some of these birds are common and widely distributed; others are scarce or local in their habitat; some frequent the shore, others the water; whilst many are equally at home on both.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading The wide waters of the ocean and its varied coast-line of cliff or sand, shingle or mud-flat, are the haunts of many birds of specialised type.

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading Some of these birds are common and widely distributed; others are scarce or local in their habitat; some frequent the shore, others the water; whilst many are equally at home on both.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading The wide waters of the ocean and its varied coast-line of cliff or sand, shingle or mud-flat, are the haunts of many birds of specialised type.

to a great degree

From this reading Some of these birds are common and widely distributed; others are scarce or local in their habitat; some frequent the shore, others the water; whilst many are equally at home on both.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading Again, many of them are migratory, or of wandering habits; some but summer visitors, others winter refugees.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Many of these birds are only found on or near the sea; they are as inseparably associated with it as the beautiful shells and seaweeds and anemones themselves.