184 liiiti) f:Ai,i,ERy. 



tlircc in imnil)cr, nro laid on tlie f^rouiid ami arc alinnsf iiulistinsiuishable 

 from those of tlie ahovp-mciifioned allied species. 



iScotland, 1 Itli June. 

 Prcnoiitpd lij Cfijitdiii S'. CV. He hi is II'. li. ()f/i/rir-(!ri/)i/, Es(/. 



No. 128. BLACK-HEADED or LAUGHING GULL. 



(Lavus vidibuiulus.) 



The dark brown hood^ from which tliis species derives its somewhat 

 inappropriate name, is assnmed in spring, but disappears after the 

 autumn moult. It is a common resident on the coasts of the British 

 Islands during the colder mouths of tlie year, but in spring resorts to 

 its breeding-places, where it congregates in large numbers. These " gul- 

 leries," as they arc called, arc formed in marshy localities, or on inland 

 lakes, and some, like that on Scoulton ^lere in Norfolk, liavc been used for 

 centuries. The nest is made of sedge, flags, etc., and placed on clumps 

 of ruslies or on the ground. Three, or occasionally four, eggs, varying 

 greatly in colour and markings, are laid towards the end of April, and 

 in many places are regularly collected for the market. This Gull is a 

 useful friend to the farmer, feeding f«r the greater part of the year on 

 grubs and other Jioxious insects. 



Invcrness-sliire, May. 

 Presented by Lonl Lorat. 



No. 129. IVORY GULL. (Pagophila ebuniea.) 



This Arctic species is an occasional wanderer to the coasts of the 

 British Islands. About thirty-five examples have been recorded and of 

 these rather more than half appear to have been adults. T^vo is the 

 full number of eggs laid. 



Cape Mary Harmsworth, Franz-Josef Land, 7tli August. 

 F resented hy F. G. Jackson, Esq. 



No. 130. COMMON TERN. (Sternn tlnviatilis.) 



This wcll-knoun " Sca-SwalloM- '' reaches our coiists towards the end 

 o£ April and returns to the south between August and October. Its 

 numerous breeding-stations are scattered along the coasts of the British 

 Islands, as well as on inland freshwater loch.s. The food consists 



