KITTIWAKE 



40. Rissa tridactyla. 16 in. 



In summer, with plumage white, except the gray back 

 and wings, and solid black tips to the primaries; in 

 winter, the sides and back of the head are washed with 

 the color of the back; young birds are like winter adults 

 but have a dusky spot back of the eye; feet blackish, 

 bill yellow in adults and black in young birds. Kitti- 

 wakes are very abundant in their northern breeding 

 ground, and are common off the New England coast in 

 winter. They usually keep well out at sea, often hov- 

 ering around fishing boats to pick up refuse that is 

 thrown overboard. They can easily be identified by 

 their small size, the distinct black tip to the wings and 

 their black feet. 



Notes. " Keet-a-wake, keet-a-wake." 



Nest. A pile of small sticks, grass and weeds, placed 

 on ledges of sea cliffs. The 3 or 4 eggs are olive gray, 

 with black markings (2.20x1.70). 



Range. Breeds from the Gulf of St. Lawrence north 

 to the Arctic Circle; winters south to Long Island and 

 casually farther. 



