204 LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS — LONGIPENNES. 



Professor Alfred Newton found it a very common bird in Spitzbergen, where it 

 frequented the whole coast. In Parry's Expedition it was observed feeding on Mer- 

 langus polaris and Aljjheus polaris as far to the north as was reached ; namely, lat. 

 82° 45' IST. Dr. Malmgren saw it occupying a middle station on the cliffs where the 

 Gulls were breeding, and found its stomach filled with the Linuwina arctica and 

 the Clio borealis. In his last voyage he noticed it breeding on Beacon Island. 



Mr. Wheelwright states that this Gull is only an occasional visitant of the 

 Scandinavian coasts, and appears to be limited exclusively to the Polar seas. 



According to Yarrell, the Kittiwake is far from being a rare bird on the coast of 

 England, and is decidedly a rock-breeder ; and very common in the breeding-season 

 on all the rocky parts of the coasts of Hampshire, Dorsetshire, Devonshire, and 

 Cornwall. It is only a summer visitor to Ireland ; but is found in considerable 

 numbers on the coast of England in winter, and is also resident on the coast of 

 France. It is said to breed on many of the high ranges of clift's along the southern 

 shore of England, and also on the high rocky promontories on the eastern coast, such 

 as Plamborough Head, Scarborough, the Fame Islands, St. Abb's Head, the Bass Eock, 

 Aberdeen, and the Orkney and Shetland Islands. Mr. Proctor found it very plentiful 

 in Iceland. In the winter it is said to wander to Genoa, Madeira, Tripoli, and the 

 Caspian Sea. 



This bird is given by Professor Eeinhardt as one of the most common and abundant 

 of the resident species of Greenland. According to the observations of Sir James 

 Eoss, it inhabits neaxly all parts of the Arctic Eegions, having been met with in the 

 highest latitudes then attained by man. It is extremely numerous during the sum- 

 mer season along the west coast of Prince Eegent's Inlet, where, in several places 

 peculiarly well fitted for breeding stations, it congregates in inconceivable numbers. 

 The party under the command of Eoss killed enough to supply themselves with several 

 meals, and found it excellent eating, and the flesh free from any unpleasant flavor. 

 Except in the fall, winter, and early spring, this species is not found south of the 

 St. Lawrence ; but it is numerous after September and until April in the Bay of 

 Fundy, and along the New England coast ; it even extends its visits to Long Island 

 and New Jersey, but is not common there. 



According to information obtained by Sir John Eichardson, the Kittiwake abounds 

 in the interior of the Fur Countries, on the coasts of the Pacific, and also on the shores 

 of the Arctic Seas, where it breeds. The young appear in considerable numbers in 

 the autumn on the muddy shores of Hudson's Bay, after which they retire to the 

 southward. The food of this species consists chiefly of small fish and marine and 

 fresh-water insects. This bird is mentioned by Dr. Bessels among those secured in 

 Captain Hall's expedition in the "Polaris." Mr. H. W. Feilden also states that he 

 saw a few Kittiwakes flying over the open water in the vicinity of Port Foulke, July 

 28; 1875, but did not observe any to the northward after entering the ice of Smith's 

 Sound ; and in 1876, as the Expedition returned south, none of these birds were seen 

 until the north water of Baffin's Bay was reached. 



The Kittiwake was met with constantly by Mr. Kumlien from the Straits of Belle 

 Isle northward ; and from September until the ice covered the water it was seen in 

 very great numbers. Where the tide ran strongly, these birds followed the stream for 

 many miles in regular order, half the number constantly dipping into the water, the 

 rest flying on a few feet farther. 



The Kittiwake is occasionally taken at Bermuda in the winter. Mr. Hurdis states 

 that its presence there is usually in consequence of the violent westerly gales 

 prevailing at that season. 



