VOL. XIV.] MANX ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES. V3- 



Clutches were not complete till mid- July, and usually consisted of 

 three eggs, in marked distinction to those of the Arctic Tern, which 

 on this coast has much more frequentl}' two. The nests were in much 

 the same situation as those of the other species, possibly a little farther 

 from the sea on an average, and nesting material seemed to be used 

 somewhat more abundantly. 



Little Tern (5. a. alhifrons). — In 191 9 the Little Tern seemed 

 to have increased its numbers and extended its nesting ground. Like 

 the last species it was laying very late, in mid-July. 



KiTTiWAKE [Rissa t. tridactyla). — In 1919 another colony of 

 Kittiwakes (the third for the Island) has been formed within about 

 half a mile of that mentioned in British Birds, 1909, p. 218, and 

 perhaps as an overfiow from it. Some hundreds of pairs were settled 

 here, in a picturesque situation over the mouth of a cave tenanted 

 by Shags, and under the brow of a massive headland. 



Herring-Gull {Larus a. argentatus). — In 1918 and 1919 orders 

 permitting the taking of Gulls' eggs were again issued. I am informed 

 by Mr. A. Harrison that Herring-Gulls now breed on Banks's Howe,, 

 close to the to^^^l of Douglas, and a considerable extension of their 

 breeding-range has lately taken place on the Santon coast. 



Great Black-backed Gull {Larus marinus). — -Referring to British 

 Birds, 1914, p. 315, 1916, p. 292, the breeding of one pair of this 

 fine species takes place regularly each year in one locality on the 

 west coast. In 191 9 the nest was on the same slope of rock as in 

 1914. A gathering of Great Black-backs in surprising numbers still 

 takes place each winter on the sands of Ramsey Bay under the town. 

 During the present winter (1919-20) I have counted from 30 to 40 

 mature birds in company with Herring-Gulls. 



Black-headed Gull (L. ridibundus). — On December 6th, 1919, 

 Mr. A. Harrison saw a specimen in Douglas neighbourhood with the 

 dark hood complete. Is this a late retention or an early assumption ?' 



Great Skua {Stercorariiis s. skua). — On June 7th, 191 9, Mr. H. 

 Laidlaw saw one on the beach at the Point of Ayre. 



