582 LARID^. 



incubation, an(^ at all other times preferring the open 

 sea to estuaries, and feeding on such small fish as swim 

 near the surface. It is very abundant in the Arctic regions 

 of both hemispheres during summer, and extends its 

 southern limits so far as to include the British Isles, but 

 is most numerous in the north. Its nest, built of sea- 

 weed, is placed high up in the face of a precipitous cliff, 

 generally on a narrow ledge, and in close proximity with 

 others belonging to birds of the same species. It contains 

 three eggs, and the young birds remain in their airy nest 

 until fully fledged, when, as well as their parents, they 

 disperse over the neighbouring seas, rarely venturing 

 either to perch on land or fly over it. At the approach of 

 autumn, Kittiwakes, like many other surface-feeding sea- 

 birds, fly southwards, and do not return until the foUomng 

 spriug. The young of the Kittiwake, previous to its first 

 moult, is sometimes called the Tarrock. 



THE IVORY GULL. 



LARUS EBURNEUS. 



Plumage white ; bill stout, grey at the base, yellow tow'ards the point ; irides 

 brown ; feet short, black. Young birds have some of the feathers tinged with 

 brown. Length eighteen inches. Eggs unknown. 



The Ivory Gull is a northern- bird, the constant attendant 

 on the whaler when engaged in the unpleasant part of his 

 occupation, that of securing the blubber, evincing little 

 fear at the presence of human beings, but helping itself, 

 without stint, to such scraps as it has strength to carry ofi". 

 These it snatches up while on the wing. It is rarely seen 

 to alight on the water, but frequently perches on ice peaks, 

 and adds to the wildness of the scene by its loud and 

 harsh screams. The Ivory Gull breeds in very high 

 latitudes, as far north as 70', and rarely travels so far 

 southwards as Britain, though a few instances have 

 occurred from time to time in winter. On the continent, 

 except in the extreme north, it is equally rare. 



