LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. 329 



sometimes be seen ashore in the ploughed fields, feed- 

 ing upon worms and grain. It is a large bird, being 

 more than twice the size of the Common Gull, but not 

 quite so big as the Herring Gull. Its head, neck, tail, 

 and all the lower parts are white at breeding time, the 

 back is very dark grey, and quills black tipped with 

 white. 



The nests are placed in the rocky cliffs in any con- 



LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. 



venient little niche, or on the bare grass. They are 

 large slovenly structures made of dry grass and sea- 

 weed. In them three eggs are generally laid, early in 

 June, varying much in colour and size. The ground 

 colour is huffish, pale olive green, bluish green, cream 

 colour or brown, and the spots are rich blackish brown 

 with underlying markings of grey. It is quite im- 

 possible to distinguish some of them from eggs of the 

 Herring Gull. 



