162 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



snowy-white. Chin, throat, breast, belly, and vent 

 snowy-white. Legs, toes, and webs greenish-yellow. 



The female is similar in plumage, but slightly 

 smaller in size. 



Situation and Locality. On the ground amongst 

 heather and coarse grass ; on ledges and in crevices 

 of rock round the coast of Scotland ; on islands ; in 

 inland lochs and tarns ; also in suitable places in 

 Ireland, but now nowhere in either England or 



YOUNG COMMON GULL HIDING 



Wales. Our illustrations were procured on the 

 west coast of Scotland. 



Materials, Heather, dry seaweed, and dead 

 grass. It may be observed that a somewhat large 

 nest is built as a rule. 



Eggs. Two to four ; generally three, buffish- 

 brown or dark olive-brown in ground-colour, spotted, 

 blotched, and streaked with grey, dark brown, and 

 black, irregularly distributed. Size about 2.25 by 

 1.65 in. The smallness of the spots and the size 

 of the eggs enable the student to easily identify 

 them. (See Plate XL) 



Time. May and June. 



Remarks. Resident, but subject to local 



