BRITAIN^S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 43 



THE KITTIWAKE 



(Rissa tridactyla). 

 Plate 14. 



All the Gulls we have so far treated of belong to the 

 typical gi-oup ; but the Kittiwakes form a small group by 

 themselves. Oui' species is characterised by the possession 

 of only three toes, the hind-toe being generally absent, 

 though occasionally appearing as the merest rudiment. 

 Other characteristics are the small size, the greenish -yellow 

 beak, the black legs, and the black-tipped primary quills. 

 In winter the back of the neck is grayish. Fish and other 

 marine animals form the Kittiwake's food, and it can 

 dive well and s\\'im under water. The name ' Kittiwake ' 

 is supposed to represent the bird''s cry. 



Although by no means confined to high latitudes, the 

 Kittiwake is circumpolar in its distribution ; examples 

 from the Pacific — where there is also a red-legged species 

 — more frequently show a i-udimentary hind -toe than 

 specimens obtained elsewhere. Although in autumn and 

 winter it is found inland and migrates southwards from 

 its summer haunts, in the nesting season it is strictly 

 marine, and in Europe is not found farther south than 

 Brittany. In the British Isles it nests in great numbers 

 on many parts of the coasts and adjacent islands, but 

 more particularly on the west coasts of Ireland and Scot- 

 land, and on the east coast of Britain, from Flamborough 

 Head to Shetland. 



Precipitous cliffs are always chosen as nesting-places, 

 the narrowest ledges sufficing to support the nests. These 

 are simple affairs, constructed of seaweed, turf, bent-grass, 

 and the like. 



