FOR CAGES AND AVIARIES. 99 



The Kittiwake. 



So called from the fancied resemblance of its cry to 

 those syllables. It occurs in considerable numbers in Scot- 

 land and the north of England, but has been much per- 

 secuted by cockney sportsmen. 



Many instances are on record of the Kittiwake becoming 

 voluntarily semi-domesticated, going and returning from 



THE KITTIWAKE. 



its retreat at its own free will, in one case for a period 

 of more than twenty-seven years ! It nests in May or 

 June and lays two eggs, those in different nests varying 

 greatly in colour and markings. The length of the Kitti- 

 wake is a little over i foot, and its general colour is 

 slate grey on the back and white on the under parts of 

 the body. 



The Laughing Gull. See Black-headed Gull 



