.275 



freely with the Black-backed Gull ; but although it often follows the vessel from its anchorage 

 it does not venture so far out to sea as its larger congener. 



During the breeding-season, which extends over December and January, it resorts to the 

 river-beds and to the shores of lakes a short distance from the sea, often nesting in large colonies, 

 and depositing its eggs on the bare ground with little or no attempt at preparation. The eggs 

 are generally three in number, broadly ovoido-conical in form, measuring 2T inches in length 

 by T5 in breadth ; they vary in colour from greenish white to a pale yellowish brown, spotted 

 and marked with greyish purple and brown, more thickly towards the larger end. 



