GULLS AND TERNS. 35 



at the nesting places. This note, from which the 

 colloquial name of the species is derived, resembles 

 the syllables kitty-a-ake, requiring but little play 

 upon the imagination to render as get-a-way-ah-get- 

 away. It is only during the breeding season that 

 this cry is heard to perfection, and after that is over 

 the bird becomes a singularly silent one. The 

 flight of this Gull is light and buoyant, but powerful 

 and often long sustained. The bird may often 

 be observed fishing at no great distance from shore, 

 flying to and fro every now and then, poising and 

 hovering previous to pouncing down upon a fish or 

 other floating object. It is also an adept swimmer, 

 and;>ery frequently sleeps whilst sitting on the waves. 

 The Kittiwake is perhaps more exclusively a fish- 

 feeder than any other British Gull. It seldom 

 searches for food on shore, and does not exhibit 

 those omnivorous tastes that characterise so many 

 of its congeners. It is a persistent follower of fish 

 shoals, especially herrings and sprats, and will 

 remain in the company of fishing fleets for weeks 

 together. A scrap of food thrown from a ship 

 will speedily be seized by one of these birds ; 

 whilst a few crustaceans and other marine creatures 

 are taken from time to time. 



The Kittiwake is a rather late breeder. It most 

 probably pairs for life, as the same nesting places 

 are resorted to each season. Of all the Gulls 

 none breed in more inaccessible situations. The 

 nests are almost always built upon a beetling ocean 



