THE ICELAND GULL 



noted that it could be readily recognized at a distance "by its acutely pointed and 

 somewhat long white wings." 



The bird in the plate shows the dark streaks on the head and neck denoting 

 winter plumage. In summer these parts are pure white. 



THE KITTIWAKE GULL. 



Rissa tridactyla (Linnaeus). 

 Plate 74. 



The Kittiwake may be seen along the coast at all times of the year, but is more 

 locally distributed though not less abundant in summer, when it is found breeding 

 in large numbers on the steep rocky cliffs of our shores and islands. 



This circumpolar species nests throughout a great part of the Arctic and sub- 

 Arctic regions of the Old and New Worlds, and migrates from the colder portions 

 of its range in winter. The birds breed in colonies, and the nests, rather compactly 

 built of sea-weed and turf, are placed on ledges, sometimes so narrow that there 

 seems scarcely room for the bird to turn. The two to three eggs are pale olive or 

 greenish-white, blotched with dark brown and purplish-grey. 



A colony of breeding Kittiwakes, such as that on the precipitous island of 

 Handa, on the west coast of Sutherland, where the birds are seen dotted along the 

 face of the cliffs or wheeling in thousands over the sea far below, like drifting snow- 

 flakes, is a never-to-be-forgotten sight. 



Here they can be observed at close quarters from a convenient mass of rock, in 

 company with Puffins, Razorbills, and Guillemots, whilst little can be heard beyond 

 the loud clear cry of the Kittiwake, which has given the bird its name. 



The food consists chiefly of fish, which the bird, as Mr. R. J. Howard informs 

 me, not only catches close to the surface of the water, but after which it frequently 

 dives and pursues for a considerable distance. 



The late Lord Lilford found that a captive bird only throve on a diet of worms, 

 and actually starved when the supply failed. 



In this species the hind toe is wanting or rudimentary. 



7* 



