LARID^E. 293 



may be described as considerably resembling the eggs of 

 the Herring Gull, though frequently less in size. During 

 the time of incubation, this species is bold in the defence of 

 its eggs and young. Mr. Hewitson says, "Mr. Darling, 

 under whose hospitable roof at the lighthouse I have en- 

 joyed many pleasant hours during my various visits to these" 

 (the Fern) " islands, informs me that the bonnet of an old 

 woman, who was in the habit of gathering the eggs of the 

 seagulls, was riddled through and through, and almost 

 torn to pieces by their bills." 



THE HERRING GULL. Larus argentatus. The Herring 

 Gull is very generally met with in suitable situations around 

 the coasts of the British Islands, and usually builds among 

 the lofty and precipitous rocks, which, with their innumer- 

 able tenants, add such beauty to our shores; seldom, if ever, 

 like the last species, selecting inland marshes or fresh-water 

 islands for the purpose of nidification ; though Mr. Dunn 

 mentions that he has found the nests of this bird among the 

 long, dry grass of some of the small islands of Shetland and 

 Orkney. Usually, however, the nest, formed of grass and sea- 

 weed, is placed upon some ledge of the seaward and precipi- 

 tous rocks, where these birds build in considerable numbers, 

 The eggs are two or three in number, and of a brownish- 



