206 



BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



Situation and Locality. In crevices and on 

 ledges of rock, at various heights above the sea. 

 It will be noticed in the full-page picture that some 

 of the ledges are so small in area that the birds have 

 to sit in peculiarly uncomfortable positions in order 

 to cover their eggs. Colonies inhabit a great number 

 of suitable breeding-places round our coasts. 



AMIDST THE FLASHING AND FEATHERY FOAM." 



Materials. Heath, dry seaweed, and dead grass, 

 somewhat carelessly arranged. 



Eggs. Two to four. Some authorities say that 

 two is the most general number ; others three, 

 an opinion which experience leads me to favour. 

 Ground-colour varies from stone-yellow to buffish- 

 brown, sometimes shaded with blue, blotched and 

 spotted thickly with ash-grey, light brown, reddish- 

 or umber-brown. Very variable, both in ground- 

 colour and markings. Size about 2.15 by 1.6 in. 

 The size of the eggs, their large markings, and the 

 situation of the nest prevent confusion with those 

 of any other gull. (See Plate X.) 



Time. May and June. 



