NESTING-SERIES OF BRITISH BIRDS. 181 
No. 119. GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. 
(Larus marinus. ) 
This rapacious Gull, the largest of our resident species, is to be met 
with at all seasons on the British coasts. 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, either in solitary pairs or in small 
colonies. It feeds largely on animal food, attacking sickly sheep and 
lambs, and devouring the eggs and young of game-birds and water- 
fowl, as well as carrion. On account of its predatory habits, large 
numbers are annually destroyed. The roughly constructed nest, made 
of seaweed, dry grass, etc., is usually situated on some isolated stack of 
rock or an islet in some secluded mountain-loch. The eggs, two or 
three in number, are brownish-butl, blotched aud spotted with umber 
and dark grey. 
Sutherlandshire, May. 
Presented by Colonel L. H. Irby & Captain 8. G. Reid. 
No. 120. COMMON GULL. (Larus canus. ) 
During the colder months of the year this species is generally distri- 
buted along the coasts of the British Islands and frequently seen inland, 
but in April the majority of adults move northwards. It is not known 
to nest in England or Wales, but in Scotland and the adjacent islands, 
as well as in parts of Ireland, large colonies are numerous. Open moors, 
the islands in both salt- and fresh-water lochs, and the less precipitous 
coasts, are the favourite breeding- places. When at sea, this Gull feeds 
on small fish, etc., but inland it is frequently to be seen following the 
plough im search of worms and grubs, or hawking insects on the wing. 
The somewhat large nest is made of any convenient materials, such as 
grass, heather, or seaweed. ‘The eggs, usually three in number, are 
laid early in May, and vary greatly im colour, but are generally olive- 
brown spotted with dark brown. 
Island of Mousa, Shetlands, June. 
Presented by Li. M. Nelson, Esq. 
No. 121. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. 
(Larus fuscus.) 
Though common on all the coasts of the British Islands during the 
greater part of the year, this species is somewhat local in its distribution 
during the breeding-season, when large numbers congregate on moors, 
turf-clad slopes, or flat-topped islands, in preference to the ledges of 
cliffs. Being almost omnivorous and especially partial to the eggs and 
