Gloria Capriotti, age 8, of Bridgeport, Conn., for her question:

 Can sea gulls live on the water?

Mr. Sea Gull can live for many days without setting foot on the dry land. He can fly for hours, skimming over the waves while watching for a fish dinner. When he gets tired, he just sits down on the sea and floats like a duck. But, for a longer, safer rest, the lovely bird seeks out a solid beach or, better still, a rocky off shore island.

Every year there comes a time when Mr. and Mrs. Gull have to come ashore. This is nesting time and the birds seek out a deserted rocky coast or island. When the youngsters learn to fly they too will spend much time flying over the sea. But they will spend some time on land and always come to the land to build their nests.