594 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 



I am sure I might truthfully apply this description 

 to the number of Kittiwakes to be seen over forty or 

 fifty acres of sea, except that they are not absorbed 

 as the snow would be ; but the same birds are con- 

 tinually reappearing, rising and falling nearly over 

 the same place, then flitting along for a little way, 

 then stopping to hover over a fish that appears to 

 come near enough to the surface for a dash ; occa- 

 sionally disappearing under the surface for a few 

 moments, when they make a dash, not indeed the 

 magnificent and rapid dash of the Gannet, but yet 

 with sufficient force to carry them entirely beneath 

 the surface, and occasionally just dropping down to 

 pick up a fish that has been wounded in some way, 

 probably by a dog-fish, and again rising to the 

 surface. Many other birds take part in these attacks 

 on the poor sprats and herrings, but, as I have before 

 stated, most of them shear off on the approach of a 

 boat, except the Kittiwakes and a few Razorbills and 

 Guillemots. 



The Kittiwake is not nearly so omnivorous as 

 most of the other Gulls, confining itself almost 

 entirely to a diet of fresh fish; consequently it is 

 not so often found searching tidal rivers and har- 

 bours for miscellaneous scraps, but is generally 

 employed in fishing further out than most of the 

 other Gulls. 



The Kittiwake does not, like the Blackheaded 

 Gull, seek flat swampy places for its nest, but rather 



