140 A CATAXOGTTE OP THE BIRDS 



elevated rock. The Gulls seeing their opportunity came at once 

 and commenced to turn the eggs out of the unprotected nests of 

 the Cormorants. On our nearer approach the Gulls also took to 

 flight ; we again pulled off a little to allow the Cormorants to 

 return, which they immediately did, and settled on their nests. 

 The Gulls now also returned and began to devour the eggs they 

 had previously dislodged fi^om the nests. By this manoeuvre, 

 there can be no doubt, the Gulls got a greater number of the 

 eggs than they would have done had they endeavoured to eat 

 them in the first instance. 



19. CoMMOisr Gull. L. canits, Linnceus. 



Lams canus, Bewick, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 1847, II., 203. 

 „ Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 2, III., 570. 



Found m abundance on the coast during the whole year. It 

 is therefore a resident, but it does not breed in the district. 



20. KiTTHVAKE. L. TEiDACTYLiJS, Linnaus. 



Zarus tridactylus, Bewick, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 1847, II., 205, 

 207. 



Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 2, III., 562. 



The Kittiwake is a resident, though the greater number mi- 

 grate. It breeds on the Pinnacles at the Fame Islands, and on 

 the adjacent cliffs. It is abundant at Elamborough Head, and 

 at the Bass Rock, where annually vast numbers are reared, and 

 whence come no doubt most of those that visit our coast. 



21. Black-headed Gull. L. niDiBrNDus, Lmnceus. 



Lams ridilundus, Bewick, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 1847, II., 209, 

 212. 

 „ „ Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 2, III., 550. 



A resident, common in both counties. It breeds gregariously 

 on the marshy borders of Loughs and Tarns, and is a great orna- 

 ment to all wild moorland districts. But it is much to be feared 

 tluit it will in time be exterminated, as it has fallen into disre- 

 pute with the game-preserver. On the 2Gth of May, 1859, I 



