280 WHITE SEA-BIRDS. 



head white, with dusky patch on hind-part of crown, 

 and another behind the ears. Young : of a general 

 mottled brown, with dark band at end of tail ; bill 

 dull yellow, blackish at the bend ; legs and feet 

 reddish-yellow. Kesident. 



Eggs. — ^3, rarely 4, greenish-buif to olive-brown, 

 spotted and blotched with dark brown, red-brown, 

 and gray ; 2"2 x 1'5 inches (plate 136). 



Nest. — Of flags, sedges, reeds, and rushes, and 

 placed among clumps and tussocks „ of any of these. 



This is a species which breeds on suitable inland 

 waters throughout the British Isles, affecting islands 

 in lakes, or boggy tracts not easily accessible by land. 

 In such spots the birds nest in large communities, 

 the nests being placed close together on the ground 

 among reeds and similar cover. As a consequence 

 the Black-Headed Gull is well known even in summer 

 in the fields of the surrounding country. Out of the 

 breeding season it may be found following the plough, 

 grubbing fields, and almost anywhere where water is. 

 It is unmistakable so long as it has the nuptial black 

 head, and even when in winter this is absent, the 

 dusky patch behind the ear, marking the place where 

 the edge of the black hood ran in summer, is easily 

 observed with a glass ; and the red bill and feet afford 

 further assistance in identification.^ The usual cry of 

 this bird is a sound resembling ' Kah ! ' It has, 

 besides, a loud, guttural ' Mra-oo ! ' and other guttural 

 sounds delivered in the form of laughter, which 

 sounds have earned for it the name Ridihwndua. The 

 Black-Headed Gull becomes increasingly common on 

 the seashores from July onwards, when it may be 



