KITTIWAKE 



TARROCK (YOUNG). 



PLATE CCXXIII. FIGURES II. AND III. 



Larus tridactylus, ...... LATHAM. 



Larus rissa, LINNAEUS. 



ONE of the most abundant of the British Gulls, the 

 Kittiwake lays its eggs high up on any small ledge 

 or cleft at the side of a steep and rocky cliff by the sea. 

 These are often so narrow and apparently insecure, that 

 Selby says the young seem instinctively aware of their 

 perilous situation, whence sometimes the least movement 

 would precipitate them into the waves beneath, and are 

 observed seldom to change their attitude in the nest till 

 sufficiently fledged to be able to provide for their own 

 safety. Immense numbers of these birds build together, 

 so much so as completely to whiten the places where they 

 assemble for the purpose, and to give them the appearance 

 of being covered with snow. They often are found in 

 company with Razor-Bills, Guillemots, and Puffins. 



The nest is a mixture of grass and other dry herbage 

 with sea-weed. 



The time for laying is the latter end of May or the 

 beginning of June. 



The eggs are usually two, but occasionally, though very 

 VOL in. ' l6t x 



