106 THE BIRDS OF IONA AND MULL. 



In general the nest is so far in as to be beyond reach, after the 

 place of its concealment has been discovered, except with the 

 assistance of a boat-hook or something similar. I have never 

 found the number of eggs to exceed two, which have some 

 resemblance in colour and marking to some of the smaller Gulls' 

 eggs ; but there is a characteristic peculiarity about their appear- 

 ance which easily distinguishes them from those. 



The young are covered with brownish-black down. They will 

 greedily take bits of fish from the hand soon after their capture, 

 and may easily be reared. 



The plumage of the old birds at this time of the year is black 

 with a greenish gloss, or rather a perfect bottle-green, beautifully 

 relieved by the pure white patch upon the wing, and further 

 enlivened by the brilliantly red feet. The inside of the mouth 

 is also of a very rich tint of orange. The birds are not all equally 

 beautiful. Some, probably the hens and younger males, are of a 

 dull brownish-black, and the white patch on the wing is obscured. 



In winter their appearance is totally changed. They are then 

 to be seen about the coast a little way out at sea, but seldom 

 coming very near to land. The variety of plumage to be observed 

 among different individuals is very great, for scarcely two are to 

 be seen exactly similar. In the depth of winter the whitest ones 

 are to be got. These are entirely pure white, except the wings, 

 which remain black as in summer, and a small portion of grey 

 upon the back connecting them. "When seen under this aspect 

 the appellation of Greenland Dove is much more appropriate than 

 that of Black Guillemot. But it is only a few that acquire this 

 degree of purity. The upper parts are generally more or less 



