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From: dipirro@amber.DEC (I'm not overweight. I'm just too short.)
Newsgroups: net.rumor
Subject: Re: Exploding seagulls
Message-ID: <982@decwrl.DEC.COM>
Date: Fri, 7-Feb-86 08:47:47 EST
Article-I.D.: decwrl.982
Posted: Fri Feb  7 08:47:47 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 9-Feb-86 08:12:24 EST
Sender: daemon@decwrl.DEC.COM
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Lines: 25

>Not having seen too much discussion on net.rumor in the last month
>or so, I am still unsure as to whether I am posting this to the
>correct category.  Sure, what I heard is a rumor, but is this group
>for certain kinds of rumors?  Anyway, the rumor I heard is that one
>can cause a seagull to explode by throwing alka seltzer in the air
>and having the gull swoop down and eat the alka seltzer.  The
>reasoning behind this is the following:  seagulls' stomachs do not
>allow for the release of gas (belching), thus anything that
>releases air bubbles will swell the stomach to the point where it
>bursts.  Now don't tell me I'm gross and don't tell me to go out
>and try this, and then report back to the net.

I heard this rumor years ago. In fact, I know some people that claim to
have tried this and that it works (they wish to remain nameless due to the
$50 fine for killing seagulls). I am still skeptical though. If it was that
easy, seagulls probably would have evolved some alka seltzer defense system.
However, I have noticed many seagull carcasses on the local beaches recently
which look as though they have been exploded from within.

I've also been told that if humans eat nothing but dried fruit for a month
and then drink a tall glass of water, then humans will explode. I also know
some people that look as though they've tried this, but it didn't quite work.

Steve DiPirro
Digital Equipment Corp.