Regarding John Owens’ mention of the seagull being the state bird of Utah, here is the backstory:
When the Mormons first settled in Utah, they had a plague in 1848 of crickets, probably kaydids, or an infestation of some crop-eating insects, and low and behold, a swarm of seagulls came to their rescue. A miracle! Thus, the seagull is their bird.
See what comes of having teachers read your paper?
Jean Fontana
