BRITISH BIRDS. 



205 



THE KITTIWAKE. 



(Larus Tridactyhis, Linn. Moucttc tridactyle, 

 Temm. 



MEASURES from fourteen to seventeen inches in 

 length, thirty-eight to forty in breadth, and weighs 

 generally about fourteen ounces. The bill is 

 greenish yellow, the upper mandible more regu- 

 larly arched than in any of the other species: the 

 inside of the mouth arid edges of the eye-lids are 

 orange: irides dark: the head, neck, under parts 

 and tail, pure white: back and wings lead or ash- 

 grey : the exterior edge of the first quill feather, and 

 the tips of the next four or five, are black: legs 

 dusky : hinder toe not bigger than a small w r art. 



These birds chiefly haunt the rocky promontories 

 and islets on the British coasts, always preferring 



