30 BRITAIN'S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 



colonies are being formed, some of them even on other 

 islands of the group. 



As already stated, the Great Skua is a larger and 

 fiercer bird than the Arctic Skua. The plumage resembles 

 that of the dark form of that species, but the bases 

 of the quills form a conspicuous light patch on each 

 wing, and the central tail-feathers project only half an 

 inch beyond the others. This species and the three 

 southern Skuas are classed together in one group, and 

 the Arctic Skua with the remaining two in another. 



The Great Skua's eggs, nest, &c., are similar to those 

 of its smaller relative, except that they are larger ; but 

 it displays more boldness in the defence of its nest, 

 swooping at and sometimes striking the head of any one 

 who intrudes on its haimts. 



Family, LARID^ (Gulls and Terns); 

 Subfamily, LARIN^ (Gulls). 



THE HERRING GULL 



(Larus argentatus). 



Plate 10. 



Under the unlovely epithet of ' Herring Gull ^ orni- 

 thologists place the bird which is to most people the 

 * ordinary Sea-Gull.' Unfortunately the popular names 

 ' Sea-Gull ' and ' Sea-Mew ' are too wide, and some cum- 

 brous qualifying adjective is necessary if we wish to 

 name exactly any particular species. Still more confus- 

 ing is the fact that the term ' Common Gull ' has come 

 to be applied to a much less familiar bird, which our 

 present purposes make it convenient to relegate to a 

 subordinate place. 'Common Gull' would indeed be an 



