110 THE ORNITHOLOGIST'S GUIDE 



wild and indicative of anxious impatience. Its 

 nest, which is rarely placed in situations of diffi- 

 cult access, is composed of a few pieces of dry 

 grass, placed on the low projecting ledges of the 

 rocks, and frequently on small islands among long 

 dry grass. I have taken many eggs from the nests 

 of these birds in the latter situation, generally two, 

 but sometimes three, from one nest. 



Larus iffARiNXFS, Linn, Swabie*. Great Black- 

 backed Gull. — The Great Black-backed Gull is 

 generally dispersed over these countries, but is not 

 numerous ; it builds its nest on small islands, on 

 stacks, and the most inaccessible parts of the 

 rocks. The situation selected for nidification it 

 reserves entirely for itself, not even permitting 

 one of its own species or any other intruder to 

 settle there ; it is generally shy and reserved, but 

 during the breeding-season it is bold and coura- 

 geous, and will defend its nest and young with 

 great obstinacy, frequently making a dash at the 

 fowler and coming within a foot or two of his 

 gun. Like the Oyster-catcher it greatly annoys the 

 gunner, by intimating his approach to other birds. 

 It is an inseparable attendant on the Shag and 

 Cormorant from selfish motives : their voracious 

 appetites inducing them to devour more than they 



