146 BllITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



KITTIWAKE. Also Kittiwake Gull. 



Description of Parent Birds. — Length about 

 fifteen and a half inches, Bill of medium length, 

 slightly curved downward, and greenish-yellow^ in 

 colour. Irides dusky brown. Head and neck white ; 

 back and wings pale grey, the longest quills of \\iq 

 latter tipped with black. Tail-coverts and quills 

 white. Chin, throat, breast, belly, vent, and under 

 tail-coverts snowy white. Legs, toes, and membranes 

 dusky. The female is similar to the male, 



Situation and Locality. — In crevices and on 

 ledges of rock, at various heights above the sea. 

 It will be noticed in the photograph that some of 

 the ledges are so small in area that the birds have 

 to sit in peculiarly uncomfortable positions in order 

 to cover their eggs. Colonies inhabit a great num- 

 ber of suitable breeding-places round our coasts. 



Materials. — Heath, dry seaweed, and dead grass, 

 somewhat carelessly arranged. 



Eggs. — Two to four. Some authorities say that 

 two is the most general number; others three. 

 Gronnd colour varies from stone-yellow to huffish- 

 brown, sometimes shaded with blue, blotched and 

 spotted thickly with ash-grey, light brow^n, reddish or 

 umber brown. Very variable, both in ground colour 

 and markings. Size about 2-15 by 1-6 in. The size of 

 the eggs, their large markings, and the situation of the 

 nest prevent confusion with those of any other gull. 



Time. — May and June. 



BeviarliS. — Eesident, but subject to much local 

 movement. Notes, Idtt-aa, hitti-aa, which sound 

 like " get away, get away." Local and other names : 

 Tarrock, Annet, Hacklet or Hacket Gull, Waeg, 

 Mackerel Bird. Gregarious, and a close sitter. 



