11!) 



KITTIWAKE. 



TARROCK, (young.) 



PLATE CCXXIII. FIGURES II. AND III. 



Larus tridactylus, . . . Latham. 



Lmnis Rissa, ..... Linnjetis. 

 JRissa Brunnichii, . . . Stephens. 



The Kittiwake lays its eggs upon any small ledge 

 on the side of a steep and rocky cliff by the sea. Im- 

 mense numbers of these birds build together^ so much 

 so as completely to whiten the places where they assem- 

 ble for the purpose, and to give them the appearance 

 of being covered with snow. 



The nest is a mixture of grass and other dry herbage 

 with sea-weed. 



The time for laying is the latter end of May, or the 

 beginning of June. 



The eggs are usually two, but occasionally, though 

 very rarely, three in number. They differ much in 

 their colouring and markings; the prevailing tint is 

 stone-colour with a tinge of olive, much spotted with 

 grey and brown of two shades; or greyish white, faintly 

 tinged with brown, and blotted with dark brown and 

 purple grey. 



