1 88 JOTTINGS ABOUT BIRDS. 



feet. The Herring Guli [Larus argeutaius) is readily 

 shown by its large size and pale-gray mantle com- 

 bined. The Common Gull {Larus €cuius)^x]\o\.\^\ 

 similar in colour, is much smaller, and the bill, legs, 

 and feet are strongly suffused with green. The 

 Black-headed Gull [Larus ridibujidus), as its name 

 im[)lies, is characterized by its dark-brown hood in 

 summer, and by its coral red beak, legs, and feet at 

 all seasons ; whilst the Kittiwake {Larus tridacty- 

 lus) is readily identified by its gray instead of black 

 quills, in conjunction with its rock-haunting habits. 

 This latter Gull is the Gull par excellence of the 

 beetling rocks ; just as the Black-headed Gull is the 

 one to introduce on inland pastures and swampy 

 grounds. 



In this particular exhibition, with one or two 

 praiseworthy exceptions, the artists have been just 

 as unsuccessful in their treatment of the land birds. 

 Let me hasten to accord praise where it is due. 

 One of the most charming bird pictures in the 

 galleries was a small painting of Peregrines {Falco 

 peregrinus). Although so small— little more than 

 a vignette in fact — the picture was admirably 

 painted, showing how birds can be painted by an 

 artist who, as I happen to know, is an enthusiastic 

 naturalist too. Two clever drawings in water- 



