48 



BIRD GALLERY. 



No. 128. BLACK-HEADED or LAUGHING GULL. 



(Larus ridibundus.) 



The dark brown hood, from which this species derives its somewhat 

 inappropriate name, is assumed in spring, hut disappears after the 

 autumn moult. It is a common resident on the coasts of the British 

 Islands during the colder months of the year, but in spring resorts to 

 its breeding-places, where it congregates in large numbers. These "gul- 

 leries/' as they are called, are formed in marshy localities, or on inland 

 lakes, and some, like that on Scoulton Mere in Norfolk, have been used for 

 centuries. The nest is made of sedge, flags, etc., and is placed on clumps 

 of rushes or on the ground. Three or occasionally four eggs, varying 

 greatly in colour and markings, are laid towards the end of April, and 

 in many places are regularly collected for the market. This Gull is a 

 useful friend to the farmer, feeding for the greater part of the year on 

 grubs and other noxious insects. 



Inverness-shire, May. 



Presented by Lord Lovat. 



No. 129. IVORY GULL. (Pagophila eburnea.) 



This Arctic species is an occasional wanderer to the coasts of the 

 British Islands. About thirty-five examples have been recorded and of 

 these rather more than half appear to have been adults. Two is the 

 full number of eggs laid. 



Cape Mary Harms worth, Franz- Josef Land, 7th of August. 

 Presented by F. G. Jackson, Esq. 



No. 130. COMMON TERN- (Sterna fluviatilis.) 



This well-known " Sea-Swallow M reaches our coasts towards the end 

 of April and returns to the south between August and October. Its 

 numerous breeding-stations are scattered along the coasts of the British 

 Islands, as well as on inland freshwater lochs. The food consists 

 principally of small fish, sand-eels, shrimps, and other Crustacea, and, like 

 the Arctic Tern, it may constantly be seen plunging headlong into the 

 sea in pursuit of its prey. The eggs, which vary greatly in colour and 

 markings, are two or three in number, and are deposited in a shallow 

 depression in the sand or among shingle, dry seaweed, and short 

 herbage; many pairs of birds sometimes nesting within a small area. 



Kent, June. 



Presented by Colonel W'Uloughby Verner. 



