KITTIWAKE 
40. Rissa tridactyla. 16 in. 
In summer, with plumage white, except the gray back 
and wings, and solid black tips to the primaries; in 
winter, the sides and back of the head are washed with 
the color of the back; young birds are like winter adults 
but have a dusky spot back of the eye; feet blackish, 
bill yellow in adults and black in young birds. Kitti- 
wakes are very abundant in their northern breeding 
ground, and are common off the New England coast in 
winter. They usually keep well out at sea, often hov- 
ering around fishing boats to pick up refuse that is 
thrown overboard. They can easily be identified by 
their small size, the distinct black tip to the wings and 
their black feet. 
Notes.— Keet-a-wake, keet-a-wake.” 
Nest.—A pile of small sticks, grass and weeds, placed 
on ledges of sea cliffs. The 3 or 4 eggs are olive gray, 
with black markings (2.20 x 1.70). 
Range.—Breeds from the Gulf of St. Lawrence north 
to the Arctic Circle; winters south to Long Island and 
easually farther. 
