

OBSERVATIONS ON BIRDS IN MID-WALES. 25 i 



Great Black-backed Gull, L. mariniis. Chiefly seen about 

 the llyns or pools on the hills in March and April. A few pairs 

 may breed there. I have not found it nesting upon the Cardigan- 

 shire coast. 



Lesser Black-backed Gull, L. fuscus. Not found nesting 

 upon the coast, but breeds upon the Teifi Bog, about twelve 

 miles from the sea. The colony, which was formerly larger, 

 numbers about fifty pairs. The nests are placed on slight 

 hillocks, generally in deep heather, the vicinity, with trampled 

 grass and scattered feathers, being suggestive of a goose-green. 

 The bog being preserved for Hares and Grouse, the Gulls are 

 subject to ceaseless persecution. Their castings contain bones 

 and fur, but they also fish the pools and streams. A new-born 

 puppy, which I found dead near the nests, had probably been 

 brought as an addition to the commissariat. On June 8th, 1892, 

 I found about sixty eggs, one nest containing four. Owing to 

 the eggs having been collected, only eight or ten young birds were 

 seen at that date. 



Herring Gull, L. argentatus. The only gull which breeds 

 upon the Cardiganshire coast. Its colonies commence about six 

 miles south of Aberystwyth, and occur at intervals as far as Car- 

 digan Island, the largest settlement extending for about two miles 

 between Cwm Tydi and YnysLochtyn. On May 12th, 1894, the 

 nests upon the cliff between Aberaeron and New Quay all con- 

 tained the complement of three eggs, but these were probably 

 taken, as I found most of the birds sitting upon two eggs on 

 June 26th. Upon this date a few young ones were to be seen 

 upon the ledges, but none had yet gone down to the sea. 



Common Gull, L. canus. Abundant in winter, feeding much 

 inland. On May 2nd, 1894, I saw a flock of about one hundred 

 and fifty, evidently collected previous to departure. 



Great Skua, Stercorarius catarrhactes. Of less common 

 occurrence than the two succeeding species. Mr. Hutchings only 

 recollects a single instance. 



Pomatorhine Skua, S. pomatorhinus. Most of the " Fork- 

 tailed Skuas " reported from time to time are probably of this 

 species. Capt. G. W. Cosens has an example in immature 

 plumage. 



Kichardson's Skua, S. crepidatus- Occurs from time to 

 time. An adult of the light race and an immature bird are pre- 





