COMMON GULL. 1638 
breeding-places the right of gathering the eggs is rented, and 
sometimes upwards of a thousand eggs are collected in a single 
day. When the first laying of eggs is taken, a second batch, and 
even a third is produced; but in each successive instance, the 
eges become less. They are used as the Pewit’s eggs are, and also 
for culinary purposes, being sold for about fivepence a score.— 
Fug. 7, plate XT. 
304. LAUGHING-GULL— (Larus atrteilia). 
A bird of exceedingly rare, or rather exceptional, occurrence. 
305. KITTIWAKE—(Larus tridactylus). 
Tarrock, Annet.—A very common rock-breeding Gull, met 
with on almost all parts of our coasts, and nesting in great num- 
bers in many different localities. Flamborough Head, St. Abb’s 
Head, the Bass, more than one of the Farne islands, are such 
places. It places its nest of sea-weed high up on the face of 
some rocky steep on a narrow ledge, and deposits therein, for the 
most part, three eggs. These differ much im colour and in the 
amount and position of the spots; some are stone-coloured, some 
tinged with an olive shade, and some with a bluish cast. The 
spots and blotches are of ash-grey and two or three shades of 
brown, chestnut to umber.—/%y.1, plate XII. 
306. IVORY-GULL—(ZLarus eburenus). 
Snow-bird.—A bird of very rare occurrence, 
307. COMMON-GULL—(ZLarus canus). 
Winter Mew, Sea Mew, Sea Mall or Maw, Sea Gull, Sea Cob, 
Cob.—This Gull is, on the whole, sufficiently general and well- 
known on all parts of our coast to merit the prefix of Common, 
which is usually applied to it. For though it is essentially a sea- 
bird, yet during some weeks in the spring, it may frequntly be 
seen in the new-ploughed or sowed fields at some miles’ distance 
from the salt-water. Its nest may sometimes be found on marshes 
M 2 
