376 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



Family V. ... 

 Sub-family b. Larirnc. 



LARUS. (Lat. a Gull.) 



Maiiuus (Lat. belonging to the sea), the Black-backed Gull. 



The BLACK-BACKED GULL is a common bird on our coasts. 

 During the winter it seeks the warmer coasts of southern 

 Europe. It breeds in great numbers on the shores of the 

 Bristol Channel, the Orkneys, and other coasts of Great 

 Britain. Its nest is composed of grass, rushes, and other 

 materials, and contains three or four eggs, of an olive green 

 marked with very dark brown. Neither the gulls nor the 

 terns dive, but snatch up their prey when at or near the 

 surface. 



THE COMMON TERN. 



The TERNS or SEA-SWALLOWS are possessed of great power 

 and endurance of flight, their long forked tails and pointed 

 wino-s indicating strength and swiftness. 



CD o 



The Common Tern is found in plenty along the southern 

 shores of Europe, in many parts of Asia and Africa. It is 

 frequently seen on the southern shores of England, and has 



