of the Falkland Islands. 165 



59. DiOMEDEA MELANOPHRYS, Temm. : Gouldj B, Austr. vii 

 pi. 43. (Molly-mawk.) 



This Albatros is very seldom seen in East Falkland, but 

 breeds in large numbers in the adjacent islands. The nests are 

 described as being raised of mud to nearly a foot high from the 

 ground, and are placed together in large communities. The eggs 

 are two in number, and the birds very difficult to disturb from 

 their nests, suffering the eggs, which are collected in large 

 numbers and brought to Stanley for sale, to be almost taken 

 from under them before moving. The eggs have been described 

 by Mr. Gould from my specimens*. 



60. Lestris ANTARCTICA (Lcss.). (Skua Gull.) 



This Skua is a summer visitant, breeding in the beginning of 

 December in communities, which are generally stationed near a 

 Penguin rookery. They are always flying backwards and 

 forwards, on the look-out to seize the Penguins' eggs. They 

 make a kind of rude nest of a few sticks, and lay three eggs. 

 In robbing these birds'-nests I always held a stick over my head, 

 for they pounce upon one from so many directions at once, that 

 it is necessary to guard one's eyes. The young birds are covered 

 with a down of a yellowish colour. 



61. Larus dominicanus. (Saddle-backed Gull.) 



This Gull is a common resident, though I am inclined to 

 think that many of them leave in the winter. In the beginning 

 of December they commence breeding in large flocks, laying two 

 eggs near the beach, or on a small island, without much attempt at 

 a nest. The plumage of the young bird is grey, and continues 

 so until the second year. In September these birds appear in 

 large numbers, many of them immature. During the winter I 

 have observed few, and these all old birds. 



62. Larus scoresbii, Trail. (Red-billed Gull.) 



This Gull breeds in December, frequently laying its two eggs 

 in the communities of Larus dominicanus, but it has also separate 

 breeding-places. The egg is exactly like that of Larus domini- 

 canus, only smaller. The young birds have a dark hood, which 



* Proc. Zool. Soc. 185!), p. f)8. 



