years the colour of the head is a deep brown, but after the 
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 flelh colour, and the webs nearly 
black, thefe alfo alTune their loft colour in the breeding feafon. 
This fpecies is common on moft parts of the coafts of this 
country ; it breeds in fenny piaces, near the borders of rivers, 
and lays three or four olive brown eggs, blotched with reddifh 
brown j 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 whiiPc young, before they were able to fly, 
by driving them into nets, and when fattened on ofFal, 
were fold for the table at ave fliiilings the dozen ; and we 
further learn from Dr. Plott's Biftory of Stafford/hire, pub- 
liflied 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 moft of the northern parts 
of Europe and America. 
Its provincial names are Sea-Crow, Crocker, Bkck-Cap, 
Red-Legs, Puit or Pewit-Gull, and Mire-Crow. 
