BIRDS OF THE SEA 113 



southern and eastern coasts. On Walney Island it 

 breeds abundantly, as it also does in Ireland, Scotland, 

 and the Fame Islands. 



Observation. — Distinguishable from the last by its 

 blood-red bill, greyer under-parts, with no vinous 

 suffusion, and the slightly longer tail. 



Plumage. — Head and nape black ; upper parts pearl- 

 grey. Rump and tail white ; under parts pale pearl- 

 grey. Bill blood-red. Legs and feet coral-red. Length 

 14J in. Female similar. In winter, forehead flecked 

 with white ; under parts whiter, and bright red of the 

 bill and legs loses its brilliancy. Young : these go 

 through several changes between the nestling and fully 

 adult stages ; generally they resemble the adults in 

 winter dress, the plumage showing signs of immaturity 

 in its more sombre and mottled effect. Nestling : 

 almost similar to Common Tern. 



Language. — Like the Common Tern. 



Habits. — Like the Common Tern. 



Food. — Like the Common Tern. 



Nest. — Early June. One brood. 



Site. — In hollow scooped out by the bird on shingle, 

 not far above high-water mark. 



Materials. — If any, a few pieces of seaweed or bents. 



Eggs. — Two or three. In colour, markings, and extent 

 of variety, practically indistinguishable from those of 

 Common Tern ; perhaps rather darker and more boldlv 

 blotched, but smaller and slightly pyriform. 



GLAUCOUS GULL {Larus glaucus). 



A winter visitor to the northern parts of these islands. 

 In size it almost equals the Great Black-backed Gull,^but 



p 



