A common sound around the harbor, the cry of the herring gull makes you feel you're near the sea, though, in truth, the bird is also found near wetlands far from the coast. Almost hunted to extinction during the days of the plumage trade, the species has since made a spectacular comeback. You will often find herring gulls scavenging for food around waterside eateries or -- more stirringly -- wheeling through the sky along the shore and diving for fish.

Above: A juvenile herring gull on Ellis Island.