THE SKUA. 



285 



The only species of Rissas necessary for us to describe is the 

 Kittiwake (Rissa tridadyla, Fig. 105), which has the top of the head 

 black, its neck, tail, and lower parts of a white hue ; its back and 

 wings are bluish grey, and its beak and feet veimilion red. It is 

 called the Laughing Gull, on account of its cry, and is most easily 

 tamed. It is widely spread all over Europe, and builds its nest on 

 the coast at the mouths of rivers. It is only a visitor in France and 

 Germany, but in Holland it is found as a permanent resident. Owing 



Fig. 105. — Kittiwake. 



to this species possessing great diversity of plumage at different 'ages, 

 this Bird has received several names, and been divided into as many 

 species, which modern research has proved to be erroneous. 



The Grey Kittiwake (Larus canus) is often called the Sea Pigeon. 

 Its plumage is of a beautiful white colour, with a grey back. It is 

 common in summer in the regions of the Arctic Circle ; in autumn 

 and winter it is found on the sea-coasts of temperate Europe. 



The Skua, or Dung-bird {Ster cor aria), is remarkable for its stout 

 bill, which is nearly cylindrical, and covered with a membrane from 

 the base as far as the nostrils ; the upper mandible is convex, 

 hooked, and armed at the extremity with a crooked point, which 

 almost appears k as if it was supplementary. These birds principally 



