158 



BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



with black, dusky-brown, greyish-brown, and other 

 tints in great variety. Some specimens are without 

 spots, and I have seen others on Ailsa Craig and 

 elsewhere closely resembling those of the Razorbill, 

 but always more pyriform. Size about 3.25 by 

 1.95 in. (See Plate XII.) 



Time. May and June. 



Remarks.- Resident. Notes (of young) : mi- 

 lock y willock. Local and other names : Foolish 

 Guillemot, Willock, Tinkershere, Scout, Tarrock, 

 Lavy, Murre, Sea Hen, Marrock. A close sitter. 



GULL, BLACK-HEADED. 



(Larus ridibundus^) 

 Order GAVI^: ; Family LARID^: (GULLS). 



Description of Parent Birds, 

 Length about sixteen inches. 

 Bill moderately long, nearly 

 straight, and lake-red. Irides 

 hazel. Eyelids crimson. Head 

 and upper part of throat dark 

 brown. Back and sides of 

 neck white. Back and wings 

 (except some of the primaries, 

 which are black at the tips, 

 and on some of the margins 

 with white shafts), uniform 

 BLACK-HEADED GULL. lavender - grey . Tail - coverts 



and quills white. Lower front 



of neck, breast, and all under-parts, white. Legs 

 and feet lake-red ; claws black. 



The female is similar to the male. 



The above description is of a solitary pair shot 



