LAllID.E — THE GULLS AND TEKXS — lUSSA. 200 



Audubon fouucl it breeding on the Gaunet Kocks oi' the St. Lawrence, where it 

 continues to do so in large numbers ; and this is probably its most southern breeding- 

 place on the Atlantic. Dr. Bryant did not meet with any on the coasts of Maine, 

 New Brunswick, or Nova Scotia. 



In England the young and the old Kittiwakes are popularly regarded as being 

 two distinct species. The former is known as the " Tarrock," and the latter as the 

 "Kittiwake," from the cry of this Gull when disturbed at its breeding-stations, as its 

 three notes, uttered in quick succession, resemble this word. Yarrell quotes an inter- 

 esting account of a young Kittiwake which had been reared from its nest, and which 

 became quite domesticated, and so strongly attached to its benefactors that although 

 left at full liberty, it would mate during the summer, inhabiting the cliffs on the 

 coast of the Isle of Wight, and in the winter returning to live with its friends. It 

 was so familiar with those persons it knew, that it would enter their cottages and eat 

 from their hands ; but would not permit the approach, of a stranger. 



The nests of this species — found on Gannet Rock, in the St. Lawrence — are 

 described by Audubon as placed on narrow ledges, and composed of eel-grass and 

 other coarse grasses from the upper portions of the island. The surfaces of the nests 

 were quite flat, although some were several inches in thickness, and appeared to have 

 been added to from year to year. The sitting birds remained persistently on their 

 eggs, seldom flying off, but merely moving to one side. The male birds were exceed- 

 ingly clamorous, flew around the party in great concern, and showed much courage. 

 The eggs are described as being of a light olive-green color, marked with numerous 

 irregular spots of dark brown. Their average length was 2.25 inches, and their 

 breadth 1.87. 



The form found on the Pacific shores, and known to some writers as the Bissa 

 Kotzehii, differs so little from the common R. tridactyla that it can only be regarded 

 as a very proximate variety. Its habits and general peculiarities are not in any Avise 

 different, but it appears to be confined exclusively to the waters of the North Pacific, 

 where it is chiefly found in the xileutian Islands and on the northeastern coast of Asia. 

 Mr. Dall states that this variety was found by him frequenting the regions about the 

 peninsula of Aliaska at all seasons, but was seldom known to come into the harbor 

 except during storms. A pair came into Ilinliak Harbor, in Unalashka, whenever in 

 the course of the winter a severe gale was blowing on the outside, but were not seen 

 under any different circumstances. They were considered by Mr. Dall as presenting 

 Avell-marked differences in their appearance from the Common Kittiwake, as well as 

 from the B. brevirostris, which is so very common in the Prybilof Islands. 



According to the observations of Mr. Elliott, these birds breed in the Prybilof 

 Group, by tens of thousands, in company with the brevirostris, coming at the same 

 time, but laying a week or ten days earlier. In all other respects the two correspond 

 in habits, and are present in just about the same numbers. 



Two examples of this species were obtained at Sitka by Bischoff. The young 

 were shot at Amak Island, north of Aliaska, by Captain Smith. This bird is abundant 

 at Sitka, and also at Plover Bay, Siberia. 



Mr. Dall, in his Notes on the Aleutian Islands, mentions his obtaining its nests, 

 eggs, and young about July 11, 1872, at Round Island, Coal Harbor, Unga Island, 

 Shumagins. It was also common at Delaroff Harbor, Unga, and was seen at Kadiak. 

 On entering Coal Harbor he was struck with a peculiar white line which wound round 

 the precipitous cliffs of Round Island, that was found to be caused by the presence 

 of these birds. The nests in their position were unlike anytliing he had ever seen 

 before. They appeared as if fastened to the perpendicular face of the rock ; but a 



