LARID^E. 295 



a second being found in the stomach of the same bird on 

 dissection. 



THE ICELAND GULL. Larus Islandicus. This is a less 

 bird than the last, but otherwise greatly resembles it. It is 

 found in northern regions breeding in company with the 

 Glaucous Gull, upon the same precipice, but at a less height 

 and in greater numbers. It is also found in Iceland. The 

 species is described as tame, following the boats of the fisher- 

 men on shore, to feed on the refuse thrown from them. The 

 eggs are of an olive-green colour, spotted with grey and 

 brown. 



THE COMMON GULL. Larus canus. In autumn, winter, 

 and spring, this birds roams far inland, feeding on the fallows 

 and pastures, and retiring to the coast at night. Although 

 not a rare species, we do not think the present by any means 

 so numerous around our shores as some others. Beyond 

 Britain it has an extensive distribution, and in Norway is so 

 common that Mr. Hewitson mentions two thousand of the 

 eggs gathered by the inhabitants from one island only. It 

 sometimes breeds in cliffs, at other times on small islands, 

 forming its nest of grass, but occasionally in combination 

 with other materials. The eggs are three in number, dif- 

 fering greatly in the ground-colour, which yet may be de- 



