212 THE BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



seaweed, and often have a little sheep's wool mixed in the lining ; 

 they are shallow and untidy as a rule. Three is the normal 

 number of eggs, which are dark olive or pale brown, plentifully 

 blotched with dark brown (Plate 87). I have found five eggs, 

 but of two distinct types, probably laid by two females ; incuba- 

 tion begins about the middle of May. The down of the nestlings 

 (Plate 92) varies greatly ; in one nest I have seen two very 

 grey and black chicks, and one very dark brown. At an early 

 stage the bill is black, pale at the tip, and the legs reddish 

 black. The irides are dark brown at first, and remain brown 

 until at least the second year, but those of the mature bird are 

 bright yellow, surrounded by pale-yellow rims to the eyes. The 

 young are fed by regurgitation (Plate 95), and long after they 

 can fly they follow the old birds with outstretched necks, 

 whistling demands ; they have also a shrill and plaintive cry. 

 In the first autumn the mottled greyish-brown young with 

 white, brown-banded tails, have black bills, slightly fleshy at 

 the base, and slate-grey legs with pink webs. As the pearl-grey 

 feathers gradually replace the brown, the colour of bill and legs 

 changes. In winter the adult bird has greyish streaks on its 

 white head and neck. The sizes of mature birds vary con- 

 siderably. Length, 24 ins. Wing, 17*5 ins. Tarsus, 2*5 ins. 



Yellow-legged Herring-Gull. Lams cachinna7is Pallas. 



The Yellow-legged Herring-Gull, an inhabitant of southern 

 Europe and western Asia, has been obtained in Norfolk and 

 reported as seen in Kent. In February, 191 8, Mr. F. W. Holder 

 watched a bird near Southport which, from his description, I 

 beheve was of this species. When mature it has a darker 

 mantle and brighter bill than our bird, and very yellow legs ; 

 the irides are yellow, the eye-rims orange. The grey on the 

 head in winter is obscure. Length, 23 ins. Wing, 16 ins. 

 Tarsus, 2*2 ins. 



