54 
seaweed, grass-tussocks torn up by the roots, and other rough materials, the interior being carefully 
lined with bent *. Some nests exhibit far less finish than others ; and occasionally the eo-o-s are 
deposited on the bare sand, a mere depression in the surface being considered sufficient : they are 
generally tw^o in number (sometimes three), broadly ovoido-conical in form, measuring 2-8 inches in 
length by 2 in breadth, and they vary considerably in their style of colouring : generally speaking, 
they are of a warm greenish-grey colour, varied over the entire surface with spots, streaks, and blotches 
of dark umber ; in some the ground-colour is tinged with light brown. Hardly two specimens can be 
found exhibiting the same markings, some being densely studded with minute spots, while others are 
covered with irregular streaks and blotches varying in density of colour from light brown to black. 
In one specimen, which came into my hands, an eccentric streak had assumed a curious resemblance 
to the letters MD. When disturbed in their nesting-ground, the old birds become very excited and 
clamorous, flying about high overhead in a very confused manner, with cries of ha-ha-haro-haro ; while 
the young ones betake themselves at once to the nearest water, or squat and hide among the 'stones, 
where the protective colouring of their down is of the utmost service to them. 
• A remarlvable nest of this species, in the Canterbury Museum, affords, to my mind, an explanation of a point raised about 
the nesting-habits of L. bulleri, in my controversy with Captain Hutton in 1874 (Trans. N.-Z. Inst. vol. vi. pp. 126-138). In 
my account of the last-named species, I had stated that “ its attempts at forming a nest are of the rudest kind a few bents of 
grass or other dry materials loosely coUected round the edges being deemed a sufficient preparation.” Captain Hutton contradicted 
this, and stated that it » forms a very good nest.” As a rule the Black-backed Gull Hkewise forms a somewhat indifferent nest 
and as often merely deposits its eggs in a depression in the sand. In some localities, however, where the ground is damp or 
swampy, or liable to be overflowed, the bird appears to adapt its building to the requirements of the situation. The nest in 
question is a massive agglomeration of seaweeds, rushes, twigs, grasses, and other rubbish, closely pressed together, and forming 
a flattened globular cushion two feet in length by eighteen inches in breadth and nine inches in thickness ; in the centre there 
is a slight depression, for the reception of the eggs. Mr. Enj-s (who was present when this nest was found) informs me that it 
was placed between the roots of a drift stump of totara, near a river-mouth (Milford Sound), being surrounded by water at 
every high tide. 
In the Canterbury Museum there is a similar nest of the Mackerel-Gull {L. scopulinus) formed of dry twigs, grasses, 
and seaweed, a foot long by eight inches across, and raised five inches from the ground. This was found under similar conditions 
as the other. And we may fairly assume that the same W'ould happen in the case of the closely aUiod species L. hulleri. 
The Biter Bit” (an incident of Bird-life in !New Zealand). 
