54 BRITISH NESTING BIRDS 



Storm Gull, Umber Gull (young), White-Footed Gull, Winter 

 Bonnet, Winter Gull (young), Winter Mew (young). 



Haunt. — Very similar to the Black-Headed Gull. 



Nesting Period. — May and June. 



Site of Nest. — On low grassy islands near the sea, also lochs, inland 

 lakes, etc. Sometimes, but not very often, on cliffs. 



Materials Used. — A much larger nest than that of the last-mentioned 

 species. Sea plants, including seaweed, as well as heather, dry 

 grass, stalks, etc. 



Eggs. — Two or Three. They vary a great deal, the ground colour 

 being green, brown, light blue, or straw-colour. Some are not 

 very strongly marked, others are profusely blotched and spotted 

 with ash and dark brown, and others again are streaked with 

 brown, but only have a few ash spots. 



Food. — Small vertebrates, fish, carrion, worms, insects and larvae. 



Voice. — A clamorous " yak," and laughter-like " luka, luka, luka," 

 " kyah," and " kree." 



Chief Features. — Although called Common Gull it is not so abundant 

 as the Black-Headed species. Note the difference in the colour 

 of bill, legs, and feet. 



Plumage. — The base of the bill greenish, with a yellow tip; greenish- 

 yellow legs and feet; ash-grey mantle; black on the two first 

 primaries, with a patch of white near the extremity, the 

 remainder black towards the end; white head, neck, tail, and 

 under parts. Length. — Eighteen and a half inches. 



GULL, GREAT BLACK-BACKED (Larus marinus) 



Local Names. — Black-back, Brown and White Gull (young), Cob, 



Cob Farapack, Great Black and White Gull, Swabie, Swat-Back, 



Wagel. 

 Haunt. — More fond of the sea than its relatives; haunts tidal rivers 



and mudflats, also moors near the sea. 

 Nesting Period. — May and June. 

 Site of Nest. — On top of a cliff, and also similar sites to those of the 



Black-Headed Gull. Usually, however, more inaccessible. 

 Materials Used. — Seaweed and other plants, sometimes lined with 



wool and a few feathers. 

 Eggs. — Three. Large handsome eggs, dark olive-green or brown. 



heavily marked with darker shades. 

 Food. — Dead animal matter found floating on the sea, as well as 



fish; plunders the nests of sea birds and Grouse for both eggs 



and young. A pirate. 

 Voice. — " Ag, ag," often repeated, and a yelping " kyauk." 

 Chief Features. — Our largest and most striking British Gull. A 



