BIRDS OF THE OCEAN AND SEASHORE 
27S 
or creamy-buff, over which are distributed irregular-shaped spots and 
blotches of reddish-brown or purplish-red, and fainter underlying mark- 
ings of lavender or grey. Breeding-season: September to December. 
28, White-capped Noddy Anous minutus Boie 
min-u-tus — L., minutus, little. 
Distribution. — The coast of Northern Territory and Queensland; 
occurs generally in the tropical Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. 
Notes. — Usually in very large flocks, frequenting the seas in the 
vicinity of its island haunts. During the night it rests in trees, leaving 
at daybreak for feeding-places on the surface of the open seas beyond 
the reefs. It is similar in habits and economy to the other species of 
Noddies, from which it may be distinguished by its smaller size and whiter 
cap. Breeds in large colonies on islands and reefs throughout its range. 
Nest . — An almost flat structure, composed of the leaves of the tree 
on which it is built, laid on one another, with a very slight addition of 
seaweed, and cemented together with the bird’s excrement, giving the 
exterior, and especially the egg cavity, a white-washed appearance. Nests 
are placed as close together as possible on the branches of trees, at heights 
up to 50 feet from the ground; also on the ground in rare cases. 
Egg. — One, either pure white, creamy, reddish, or buffy-white, over 
which are sparingly distributed irregular-shaped spots and blotches of 
purplish and purplish-grey and underlying markings of dull bluish-grey, 
the markings usually predominating on the larger end. Breeding-season : 
September to December (Australia). 
29. Silver Gull Larus novcz-hollandice Stephens 
Ldr-us — Gk, laros, sea-bird: novce-hollandice — of New Holland. 
Distribution. — Australia generally, and Tasmania; occurs also in 
New Caledonia and New Zealand. 
Notes. — Also called Red-legged Gull, Crimson-billed Gull, Jameson 
Gull, Mackerel Gull, Seagull, and Sea-pigeon. This species is plentiful 
throughout the year on our harbours, inlets, and coastal rivers, and at 
times it is observed in large flocks on lakes and rivers hundreds of miles 
inland. It feeds on almost anything, but its natural food consists prin- 
cipally of small fishes and other marine-life; it is also a notorious nest- 
robber, eating the eggs of other sea-birds. As a scavenger it is useful, 
helping in no small way to keep harbours and rivers clean by eating the 
scraps of waste food and offal thrown overboard from ships. Breeds 
in colonies, sometimes on headlands and occasionally on inland lakes, but 
mostly on small islands throughout its range. 
Nest . — Usually a slight depression in the ground, lined more or less 
thickly with grass or dried seaweed ; some nests are built externally of 
thin twigs and coarse grass, and lined with finer grasses, while others 
are compactly made and composed entirely of fine grasses. 
