Don Weisner, Age 12, Of Newton, Kan., for his question:

Where do gulls nest?

Most of the many gulls and their graceful cousins, the terns, are sea going birds. They can soar for hours above the waves and sit resting like ducks upon the water. The sea is full of the fishy food they enjoy, and most gulls have to come inland only to nest and rear their young. They are shy and clumsy birds on land, which may explain why they make their nesting grounds on remote islands, deserted shores and lonely marshes.

Like most birds, they build their nests of materials that happen to be handy. Some build a springy bed of seaweeds and maybe line it with feathers. Others use sea shells. Some gulls build no nest at all and lay their eggs on the ground.. Gulls that nest inland use marsh weeds as building material.