BIRDS OF THE SEASHORE 113 



into the water, if it cannot reach its object in any other 

 way. In hard weather it comes inland, and may be 

 seen in meadows or ploughed fields searching for grubs, 

 &c., miles from the sea-coast. 



Food. When at the sea, fishes, Crustacea, and any 

 kind of animal matter cast up by the tide. In winter 

 it is almost omnivorous. 



Nest. April or May. One brood. 



Site. In slight hollow on boggy margin of some mere, 

 or on some islet. 



Materials. Dead grass, pieces of sedge, and other 

 aquatic vegetable matters. 



Eggs. Two to four. Very variable ; usually pale 

 greenish or olive-brown, blotched and spotted with 

 dark brown and black, and underlying greyish brown. 



COMMON GULL (Larus canus). 



Named rather unhappily, since it is not known to 

 nest south of the Border, though it is frequently observed 

 on migration on our coasts, i.e., from autumn to spring. 

 It breeds abundantly in the north of Ireland, and Scot- 

 land, and the adjacent islands. 



Observation. Distinguish from Kittiwake by white 

 tips to primaries. 



Plumage. Mantle French grey ; first two primaries 

 black, with white patch near the end. Head, neck, tail, 

 and under parts white. Bill greenish ; yellow at the 

 tip. Legs and feet greenish yellow. Length 18 in. 

 Female similar, but slightly smaller. In winter the 

 plumage is almost exactly like the Black-headed Gull 

 in winter dress. Young : like other Gulls the sign of 

 immaturity is the prevalence of brownish mottling, the 

 primaries and broad band on the tail being dark brown ; 

 the under side of the wings is brown mottled. Nestling : 

 covered with grey down, streaked and spotted with black 

 and brown ; under parts greyish yellow. 



P 



