BIRDS OP THE ISLE OF MAN, 99 



Black-headed Gulls or Herring Gulls. From the former they are 

 easily distinguishable at some distance by the stouter build, deeper 

 tint of the mantle, and more conspicuous white on the wing. 



Herring Gull, L. argentatus.— breeds on most rocky parts 

 of the coast, often in great numbers. Sometimes the nests are 

 on rock-ledges, sometimes on steeply-sloping brows— in the latter 

 case frequently under some small jutting point. 



Lesser Black-backed Gull, L. fuscus. — A few to be seen at 

 all seasons in the bays. It breeds in at least two colonies at the 

 south ; one or two are occasionally to be seen among the throngs 

 of Herring Gulls at the nesting-places of the latter. 



Greater Black-backed Gull, L. marinus. — Single birds often 

 appear for a short time. 



Kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla. — There is a breeding colony on 

 the southern coast. 



Bichardson's Skua, Stercorarius crepidatus. — Occurs occa- 

 sionally. Some years ago I saw one in Douglas Bay. An 

 immature specimen was taken in a garden near Douglas in 

 stormy weather in October, 1890. 



Manx Shearwater, Puffinus anglorum. — A specimen was 

 obtained on the south coast in the summer of 1890. This bird, 

 though it obtained its name from its former abundance on the 

 " Calf," has not, as is well known, been reported as breeding here 

 for very many years. 



Kazorbill, Alca tor da. — More widely distributed here as a 

 breeding species than the Guillemot. 



Guillemot, Lomvia troile. — Breeds in abundance on the 

 southern rocks. 



Black Guillemot, Uria grylle. — Breeds in several localities, 

 though not in very great numbers. One of these places, though 

 in a wild situation, is almost within a stone's throw of a town, 

 and has been frequented for a number of years. In the beginning 

 of September, 1890, one remained for a week or two in Douglas 

 Bay. This bird was exceedingly tame, swimming unconcernedly 

 among the pleasure-boats off the Promenade. It allowed rowers 

 to come very near, and would even rise close to the same boat 

 several times in succession. Under the clear water one could 

 sometimes trace its dives for a considerable distance, the white 

 wing-patches being very conspicuous. It uttered at times a weak 

 piping cry. At the same season, in 1891, a single Black 



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