39 



Moss, near Morecambe Bay. Examples of the various changes of 

 plumage of this Gull, from the chick to the adult plumage of a five 

 year old Gull, may be seen in Case No. 229. 



Case 208. 



GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL {Lams marinus). 

 Local name : Devoke water maw. 



The largest of our resident species, frequently seen on the Mersey 

 during the winter, and numerous a few miles off the shore all the year 

 round. It breeds in small numbers on the south and west coasts of 

 England and in Wales, but is common in many parts of Scotland and 

 Ireland. It feeds largely on animal food, attacking sickly sheep and 

 lambs, devouring the young and eggs of game-birds and water-fowl, 

 as well as carrion. The roughly constructed nest, made of seaweed, 

 dry grass, etc., is usually situated on isolated stacks or on an islet in 

 some secluded mountain loch. In Lancashire it nests on Piling Moss 

 and on the fells near Rusland, not far from Morecambe Bay. The 

 eggs, two or three in number, are brownish-buff, blotched with umber 

 and dark-grey (see British Bird Egg Cabinet, drawer 23). 



Case 209. 



PUFFIN {Fratercida arctica). 

 Local names : Coulterneb, Sea-Parrot. 



Large numbers of this species breed in the cliffs and grassy slopes 

 on many parts of the coast-line of the British Islands. Towards the 

 end of August, when the young are ready to follow their parents into 

 the water, they leave the coast for the open sea, where they pass the 

 winter, returning to their breeding places in March or April. The 

 single dull-white egg, faintly spotted with brown or lilac (see British 

 Bird Egg Cabinet, drawer 25), is laid in a crevice of a rock, or in a 

 rabbit burrow or a hole made by the bird. The young are fed on 

 small fishes, which are carried transversely in the bill of the parent, six 

 or eight being brought at a time. 



Case 210. 



BLACK GUILLEMOT {Uria grylle). 



The Black Guillemot closely resembles the Common Guillemot in 

 habits. It is a bird of the sea, diving and swimming under water with 

 great rapidity, and it only visits the rocks for breeding purposes. Its 

 food is principally composed of the fry of fish, especially the Coal Fish 

 and Herring. It breeds on the west of Scotland, the Hebrides, the 

 Orkneys and Shetlands, and a few pairs may be seen in the Isle of 

 Man. No nests are made, the eggs being generally placed in the 

 crevice of a rock. Thev are two in number and are coloured white or 



