116 



BLACK-HEADED GULL. 



PEEWIT GULL. RED - LEGGED GULL. 



PLATE CCXXll. FIG. ITT. 



Larus ridihunchis, . . . LiNN^TJS. Latham. 



This pretty-looking bird resorts to fenny places and 

 the sides of pools and inland waters and their islands 

 to breed, and vast multitudes congregate together for 

 the purpose; as well both near the sea, and far from 

 it, even to the lands adjoining the sea itself, if low. and 

 marshy. 



The nest is flat, and a composition of grass or the 

 tops of reeds and sedge, placed, perhaps, on a tuft of 

 rushes or other such herbage. 



If the first set of eggs be taken a second is laid, 

 and a third if the second, but in such cases they are 

 less each time in size. They are valued as food, and 

 in some places are farmed for the purpose. 



The eggs, three or four in number, are laid the mid- 

 dle or end of April, or beginning of May, chiefly at 

 the latter season, and are hatched the end of May or 

 early in June. They vary exceedingly in colour and 

 markings; some are light blue, others yellow, and others 

 green, red, or brown. Some have scarcely any spots, 

 and others are thickly covered with marks. 



The young birds leave the nest and betake themselves 

 to the water as soon as hatched. 



