8o BIRDS OF P. E. ISLAND. 



as large as a goose — is common in the outer 



bays late in the autumn. It breeds on lonely 

 rocky islets. 



The Great Black - backed Gull (Lams marmiis) 

 is the largest of our Gulls, distinctly marked 

 by its blackish - purple mantle. It is a winter 

 bird and may be seen sitting on the ice 

 floes, while a patch of blue water remains, leis- 

 urely awaiting the appearance of game. Here it 

 is acompanied by the more active Herring Gulls 

 and the small - sized Kittawakes. Black - backs 

 are never very common, but even in mid-summer 

 a few of the great, lazy birds will be seen sit- 

 ting about the broad sandflats of the coast, where 

 they feed on the garbage thrown up by the 

 waves. Such lonely reefs as St. Peter's Bar 

 are its chief resort. When disturbed, it spreads 

 its great wings to the breeze, runs on tip toe 

 along the sand, and swings heavily into the air ; 

 and, flying but a short distance, lights in a pool 

 with a contented kack^ kack, while the Herring 



