258 BBITI^H BIRDS' XESTS. 



closely resemble some of the Gulls' in appearance, 

 and the only safe method of identification is to 

 watch the parent bird on or off the nest. Size about 

 2-3 by 1-62 in. 



Time. — May and June. 



Bemarlis. — Migratory, arriving in May and de- 

 parting in August and September. Notes : mee and 

 mee-awli^ represented by some authorities as 1<ijoid 

 and yah-yali. Local and other names : Arctic Gull, 

 Arctic Skua (also applied to Long-tailed or Buffon's 

 Skua), Shooi, Scoutie-Allen, Black-toed Gull. Sits 

 lightly, and is gregarious. 



SKYLARK. 



Description of Parent Birds. — Length about seven 

 inches. Bill of medium length, straight, strong, and 

 dark brown. Irides hazel ; crown dark brown, the 

 feathers being edged with a lighter and redder tinge, 

 and somewhat elongated, forming a crest which is 

 erectable at will. Back of neck, back, wing and tail- 

 coverts reddish-brown, each feather being bordered 

 with a pale tint. Wing and tail-quills dusky brown, 

 with lighter edges and tips. Throat and breast light 

 cream-colour, spotted with dark brown ; under-parts 

 pale straw-colour, tinged with brown on the thighs 

 and flanks. Legs, toes, and claws brown; middle 

 toe largest, and hind claw very long and curved. 



The female is not quite as large as the male, but 

 is similar in her plumage. 



Situation and Localit//. — Under tufts of grass, 

 ling, and heath, sometimes on the plain open 

 ground, in a slight declivity. Our illustrations 

 are from photographs of a nest on the crown of a 

 furrow, and under a tuft of grass. The former was 



