XESTI.VG-SERIKS OF BRITISH BIRDS. ]«] 



in many parts of Scotland and Ircdaiul, citlicr in solitarv pairs nv in small 

 •■"li>nics. It feeds largely on animal food, attacking" sicklv sheep and 

 lambs, and devouring the eggs and young of game-birds "and water- 

 fowl, as well as carrion. On account of its predatory habits, large num- 

 bers are annually destroyed. The roughly constructed nest, made of 

 seaweed, dry grass, etc.. is usually situated on some isolated stack of 

 rock or on an islet in some secluded mountaiu-loch. The eggs, two or 

 three in number, are brownish-buft; blotched aiul sj)otted wilh' umber 

 and dark grev. 



Sutherlaudsliirc, ^Nfay. 

 Prcseiiti'd by Ci,hjn,'l L. II. Irhij .v Vuptcua ,s'. G'. R^hL 



No. 120. COMMON GULL. (Laius canus.) 



i:)nring the colder mouths of the year this species is generally distri- 

 buted along the coasts of the British Islands and frequently seen inland, 

 but in April the majority of adults move northwards. It"is not known 

 to nest in England or Wales, l)ut in Scotland and the adjacent islands 

 as well as in parts of Ireland, large colonies are numerous. Open moors' 

 the islands in both salt- and fresh-water lochs, and the less precipitous 

 coasts, are the favourite breeding-places. When at sea, this Gull feeds 

 on small Hsh etc., but inland it is frequently to be seen following the 

 plough in search of worms and grubs, or hawking insects on the wing. 

 The somewhat large uest is made of any convenient materials, such as 

 grass, heather, or seaweed. The eggs, usually three in number, are 

 laid early in May, and vary greatly in colour, "but are generally olive- 

 brown spotted with dark brown. 



Island of .Alousa, Slietlands, June. 

 Presented by E. M. Nelson, Esq. 



No. 121. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. 



(Larus fuse us.) 



Though common on all the coasts of the British Islands during the 

 greater part of the year, this species is somewhat local in its distribution 

 during the breeding-season, when large numbers congregate on moors, 

 turf-clad slopes, or flat-topped islands, in preference to the ledges of 

 cliffs. Being almost omnivorous and especially pai-tial to the eggs and 

 young of game-birds and water-fowl, it is constantly destroyed by 

 game-preservers. The nest, which is made of grass, dry seaweJd, etc', 

 was placed in the present instance at the intersection of two sheep- 



a 



