ae 
Tur Lesser Biack-BackEep Guut is rather less addicted to precipitous localities, and is 
more inclined to select slopes and marshes for its breeding-places. Its food is similar to that 
of the Herring-Gull, with, perhaps, a larger proportion of small crabs ; but inasmuch as this 
Gull breeds further inland, it is even more destructive than the preceding species to eggs and 
young of game and water-fowl. A Lesser Black-backed Gull has been found choked by a 
duck’s egg which it had attempted to swallow. 
Tue Great Buack-BackeD Guu is the least numerous of the large sea-gulls ; it has, 
nevertheless, been specially exempted from protection. It is quite “the vulture of the 
shore”; feeding upon any animal-matter, from the sodden corpses of drowned sailors and 
fishermen to dead or wounded water-fowl, and even sickly lambs; while it is a great 
devourer of eggs. Its nest, when on the coast, is usually on some isolated crag, “holm,” or 
stack ; but inland lochs also afford breeding-places. 
Tue KrttrwakE Gutt is absolutely innocuous, and amply deserves protection. Its food 
consists of small fish and other marine animals; while the clainour arising from the immense 
colonies which frequent our rockiest shores may very likely act as a warning to vessels 
approaching a dangerous coast ina fog. This is the species which has been slaughtered, 
under circumstances of horrible barbarity, to provide adornments for ladies’ hats. 
I have watched, day after day, a flotilla of boats procuring plumes for the market; one gang 
of men shooting, and changing their guns when too hot; another set picking up 
the birds, and often cutting their wings off and flinging the victims into the 
sea, to struggle with feet and head until death slowly came to their relief ; and I have seen 
the cliffs absolutely “spotted” with the fledglings which had died of starvation, owing to 
the destruction of their parents. And it may be accounted unto me for righteousness that, in 
my indignation, I hove down rocks whenever such an act would interfere with the shooters. 
The Act of 1880 was insufficient to protect these poor birds, for it expired on August 
1st, just at the time when Kittiwakes were nearly at their best for plumes. Such things 
are, happily, of the past, for the Kittiwake’s wing is temporarily out of fashion, having given 
way to the plumes of the Egret, called “Osprey” by the trade. 
Educational Series.—No. 1.—OWLS. No. 2,.-WOODPECKERS. No. 3.—STARLING. No. 4.— 
SWALLOWS. No. 5.—_KINGFISHER. No. 6.—OSPREY. No. 7.—DIPPERS. No. 8.—NIGHTJAR. 
No. 9.—TITMICE. No. 10.—KESTREL. No. 114.—PLOVERS. No.12._TERNS. No. 13.—WAGTAILS. 
No. 14.—_CHOUGH. No. 15._JAY. No. 16.—SKUAS. No.17.—FLYCATCHERS. No. 18.— NIGHTINGALE. 
No. 19. — GULLS. No. 20.— LEAF-WARBLERS. No. 24.—PIPITS. No. 22.— SKYLARK. 
No. 23.—GREBES. No. 24.—COMMON BUZZARD. 
Copies of the above may be obtained from the Society’s Publishing Department, Knowledye Office, 
326, High Holborn, W.C., or from the Hon. Sec., Mrs. F. E. Lemon, Hillcrest, Redhill, on the following 
terms :—Post free: three copies of any one number of the Series, 1d.; one dozen, 3d.; 100, 1s. 6d. 
Assorted packets, one copy of any six numbers, 2d.; one copy of any twelve, or two copies of any six 
numbers, 4d., or 50 assorted numbers, 1s. Special terms for larger quantities, and to County Councils, the 
Constabulary, and Schools. 
The Society’s Publishing Office, Knowledge, 326, High Holborn, London, W.C. 1897. 
