3 62 BRITISH BIRDS. 



are thick, strong, black, and coarse, about two 

 inches and a half long, and the outer toe is more 

 than four in length. 



These birds usually assemble in flocks on the 

 summits and inaccessible parts of the rocks which 

 overhang, or are surrounded by the sea, upon 

 which the female makes her nest of the withered 

 sea-tang, weeds, sticks, and grasses, which are 

 cast on shore by the waves : she lays four or more 

 greenish white eggs, of the size of those of a Hen, 

 but of a longer shape. There are writers who 

 assert that, in some parts of the world they build 

 their nests on trees, like the Rook and the Heron. 



The above figure was taken from a specimen in 

 the Wycliffe Museum. 



