KITXnyAKE. 
141 
Kittiwake breeds, but it occurs nortlivvard up to the Arctic 
Circle, wherever the locality suits its habits, namely, rocks 
that face the open sea. 
The nests are composed of sea grasses, and other dry 
materials ; the eggs are three in number, in size, shape, and 
colour as represented in our plate. 
The nestlings seem to be quite aware of the danger of 
their situation before they are able to fly, and remain in their 
first position until led by their parents to the watery surface 
below. 
The principal employment of the Kittiwake during the day 
time, is either flying about in all directions or swimming; 
both of which it performs to admiration, but if chance induces 
it to alight on shore and to walk about for a short distance 
there is nothing to admire in its proceedings, on account of 
the forward position and shortness of its legs. 
The Kittiwake is incessantly calling out, and as the bird is 
frequently doing so with its beak full of food, or of building 
materials, the sounds produced vary considerably, and can 
not be described further than that they resemble those of 
other gulls and are equally inharmonious. 
The measurements of this species are as follows, and w^ere 
taken from the live birds in our possession. 
The entire length from the tip of the beak to the extremity 
of the tail sixteen inches, the wings reaching two inches 
beyond ; the wings twelve inches ; the beak from the fore¬ 
head one ineh six lines, from the tip to the gape two inches 
three lines ; the inside and corner of the mouth are bright 
vermilion ; the sole of the foot from the tip of the toe to the 
heel two inches one line ; from the ground to the knee behind, 
one inch eight lines; the knob which is attributed to the 
Kittiwake, is a toe, although a short one, and furnished with 
a nail. 
