years the colour of the head is a deep brown, but after th* 

 third moulting it becomes black ; in the, fall of the year, it 

 entirely lofes the black on the head except about the auricles^ 

 which does not return till the enfuing fpring ; the legs alfo in 

 the winter become of a dull flefh colour, and the webs nearly 

 black, thefe slfo affume their loil colour in the breeding feafon. 



This fpecies is common on moft parts of the coafts of this 

 country ; it breeds in fenny places, near the borders of rivers, 

 and lays three or four olive brown eggs, blotched with reddiOi 

 brown ; its neft is compofed of dry coarfe grafs and ruflies. 



Formerly this bird was held in efteem as an article of food ; 

 they were taken whilfl: young, before they were able to fly, 

 by driving them into nets, and when fattened on ofFal, 

 were fold for the table at five Ihillings the dozen ; and we 

 further learn from Dr. Plott's Hi/lory of Stafford/hire, pub- 

 lifhed in 1686, that fifty dozen were frequently taken at a 

 driving, and that three drivings were generally made in a 

 feafon. This fpecies is found in mofl: of the. northern parts 

 of Europe and America. 



Its provincial names are Sea-Crow, Crocker, Black-Capj 

 Red-Legs, Puit or Pewit-Gull, and Mire-Crow. 



