How our rescue gull Nelson ruled the roost

THE amusing story about the pet crane reminded me of when I fostered a oneeyed herring gull. he had lost most of his flight feathers in one wing after being hit by a car. Nelson, as I called him, made himself at home. herring gulls are clever opportunists and, as an alpha male, Nelson had a domineering disposition, especially if there was food around. he had to be shut in a room when I fed my two dogs otherwise there were arguments over the food bowls. Their curled lips and threatening growls were no match against a nip from a razor-sharp beak. Nelson tried to take possession of one of the comfy chairs where he could have a better look at the television. ‘Nelson, get down!’ just produced an indifferent grunt. he started copying the dogs’ habit of carrying around one of my sandals, dangling it from his beak like a captured sprat, before hiding under my bed. even the sight of his favourite tinned sardines in tomato sauce couldn’t tempt him out. After six months, he had grown new wing feathers and took off to join his peers. What a character!