Books · 1858
These beginnings of commerce on a lake in the wilderness are very interesting,-these larger white birds that come to keep company with the gulls.
— Henry David Thoreau · Chesuncook
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
The passage observes commerce beginning on a wilderness lake and compares its arrivals to larger white birds accompanying gulls. That comparison suggests vessels rather than identifying a new bird species.
Context reviewed