NESTING-SBKIES OF BRITISH BIRDS. 183 



east coast of Scotland and some colonies may be found on the islets in 

 lochs. It generally nests in company with others of its kind and often 

 among colonies of the Lesser Black-backed and Common Gulls. Like 

 other large Gulls it is a great robber of eggs and young birds. Three 

 is the full number of eggs laid. 



Nairnshire, 6th June. 



Presented by W. R. Ogilvie-Grant Sf H. S. Reid, Esqrs. 



No. 125. GLAUCOUS GULL. (Lai'us glaucus.) 



Although this circumpolar bird is an irregular winter visitor to our 

 shores, it has never been known to breed in the British Islands, its 

 nesting-places being in the Arctic Ocean on the shores of both 

 continents. Its habits, food, and mode of nesting are similar to those 

 of the Greater Black-backed Gull. The stone-coloured eggs, spotted 

 with ash-grey and brown, are laid during the first half of June and are 

 usually three in number. 



Waigats Island, July. 



Presented by H. J. Pearson, Esq. 



No. 126. SANDWICH TERN. (Sterna cantiaca.) 



A regular visitor to the British Islands, arriving in March and April, 

 and returning south early in autumn. It nests in colonies, associating 

 with Arctic or Common Terns, and not infrequently changes its 

 breeding-grounds when persecuted. The nest is generally a shallow 

 hole scratched in the shingle or in the sand among sea-campion, sorrel, 

 and other plants, but sometimes a tolerably solid structure of bents may 

 be seen. The eggs are usually two and rarely three in number, and 

 vary much in colour and markings. 



Scotland, 10th June. 



Presented by Captain S. G. Reid ^ W. R. Offilvie- Grant, Esq. 



No. 127. ROSEATE TERN. (Sterna dougalli.) 



This southern species visits the British Islands regularly in small 

 numbers, arriving at the end of April and leaving as soon as the young 

 are able to fly. It is generally met with in small colonies of one or 

 two pairs associating with Arctic or Common Terns. The eggs, two or 



