CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 175 



KITTIWAKE.— (Summer.) 



Case 222. 



The Kittiwake is common all round the British 

 Islands, breeding in the rocks that overhang the sea 

 on numerous parts of our coasts. 



We have few Gulls so thoroughly marine in their 

 habits, the present species being seldom, if ever, met 

 with inland. 



Though but a comparatively small bird, the quantit}^ 

 of fish it is able to consume is perfectly astonishing. 

 One of the specimens in the case, on being lifted into 

 the boat, disgorged three large herrings ; these could 

 only have been swallowed a few minutes previously, 

 being all as bright as silver. 



To this poor, persecuted wretch, the " Sea-Bird 

 Preservation Act " has certainly been a blessing, 

 the senseless slaughter that took place round their 

 breeding-stations every summer having been allowed 

 to continue too long without interference. 



The specimens in the case were obtained at the 

 Bass Rock, in June, 1867. 



KITTIWAKE.— (Winter.) 



Case 223. 



The mature bird in winter plumage, and the immature 

 in their first feathers, are here shown. 



During autumn and winter they are occasionally 

 seen in immense flocks, following the shoals of sprats 

 and other fish in the English Channel. 



The specimens in the case were shot a few miles off 

 Brighton, in the winter of 1870. 



