BIRDS OF THE SEA 113 



southern and eastern coasts. On Walney Island it 

 breeds abundantly, as it also does in Ireland, Scotland, 

 and the Fame Islands. 



Observation. Distinguishable from the last by its 

 blood-red bill, greyer under-parts, with no vinous 

 suffusion, and the slightly longer tail. 



Plumage. Head and nape black ; upper parts pearl- 

 grey. Rump and tail white ; under parts pale pearl- 

 grey. Bill blood-red. Legs and feet coral-red. Length 

 14! in. Female similar. In winter, forehead flecked 

 with white ; under parts whiter, and bright red of the 

 bill and legs loses its brilliancy. Young : these go 

 through several changes between the nestling and fully 

 adult stages ; generally they resemble the adults in 

 winter dress, the plumage showing signs of immaturity 

 in its more sombre and mottled effect. Nestling : 

 almost similar to Common Tern. 



Language. Like the Common Tern. 



Habits. Like the Common Tern. 



Food. Like the Common Tern. 



Nest. Early June. One brood. 



Site. In hollow scooped out by the bird on shingle, 

 not far above high-water mark. 



Materials. If any, a few pieces of seaweed or bents. 



Eggs. Two or three. In colour, markings, and extent 

 of variety, practically indistinguishable from those of 

 Common Tern ; perhaps rather darker and more boldly 

 blotched, but smaller and slightly pyriform. 



GLAUCOUS GULL (Lams glaucus). 



A winter visitor to the northern parts of these islands. 

 In size it almost equals the Great Black-backed Gull, but 



p 



