THE KITTIWAKE 



(Larus tridactylus) 



THE Kittiwake is a thorough bird of the rocks. There is 

 scarcely a sea-cliff of any magnitude rearing its lofty sides 

 out of the deep green water that does not contain the nest of 

 this charming little Gull. It is the life and animation of the 

 rocks. The Guillemots may sit in solemn endless rows on 

 every ledge and shelf, the Eazorbills may tenant each nook 

 and cranny of the cliffs, but the scene is a silent one so far 

 as they are concerned. On the lower ledges and projections 

 the Kittiwakes breed, and their noisy clamour is incessantly 

 sounding from the dizzy depths. High above the roar of the 

 waters, as they dash against the solid walls of cliff, the 

 Kittiwake's unmistakable cry is heard, sounding like get-away- 

 ah-get-away, and the birds may be seen clustering on the 

 rocks far down the awful depths, only a few feet above the 

 restless waves. The Kittiwake never leaves the sea. It 

 rears its young on these stupendous boundary walls of the 

 vast ocean, and when domestic duties are over it leaves 

 the rocks and wanders far and wide over the wild and 

 lonely watery wastes. 



At all seasons of the year the Kittiwake is a gregarious 

 bird. Summer and winter alike it may be seen in flocks of 

 varying size, often great distances from land. In calm 

 weather the Kittiwake stays out at sea for weeks together, 

 attending the fishing smacks or the shoals of sprats, resting 



