BRITISH BIRDS. 195 



webs ; rest of plumage white ; bill yellow, tip reddish ; 

 feet yellowish flesh-colour. In winter crown and nape 

 exhibit dusky streaks. Length of male 22*00, wing 17*00 ; 

 female slightly smaller. Young : chiefly brown on mantle 

 and mottled with brown on rest of plumage. 



Common and breeding abundantly in very many 

 localities. Eggs : 3 ; pale olive-brown, with blotches 

 and spots of dark brown; 2*90 by 2*00; laid in a nest 

 of grasses on rock-ledges, or occasionally on grassy islets. 



341. Larus fuseus, L. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. 



Hab. Europe and N. Africa. 



Adult : maritle and wings dusky slate, often almost 

 black ; first one or two primaries with sub-terminal white 

 patches and most of primaries and secondaries slightly 

 tipped with white ; rest of plumage white ; bill yellow, tip 

 red ; feet yellow. In winter head and nape show dusky 

 streaks. Length of male 21*00, wing 16*25. Young: 

 much darker than young of L. argentatus. 



Breeds abundantly on the most rocky coasts of our 

 islands ; it is more generally diffused in winter. Eggs : 3 ; 

 similar to those of L. argentatus but more variable ; 2*80 

 by i "95 ; laid in May in a nest of grass and seaweed placed 

 on grassy islets, " stacks," etc. 



342. Larus marinus, L. GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. 

 Hab. Northern Europe and N.E. America. 

 Distinguished from L. fuseus by its larger size. Length 



of male 27*00, wing 20*00. Breeds commonly everywhere 

 around Scotland and less so down the west coast of England 

 and Wales to the Scilly Isles, while colonies are found all 

 round the Irish coasts. Birds which are not breeding 

 frequent the English coasts at all seasons. Eggs : 2 or 3 ; 

 like those of L. argentatus but larger ; 3*00 by 2*15. 



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