BIRDS OF THE OCEAN AND SEASHORE 
*75 
white, or creamy-buff, over which are distributed irregular-shaped 
spots and blotches of reddish-brown or purplish-red, and fainter 
underlying markings of lavender or grey. Breeding-season: Septem¬ 
ber 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. Breed¬ 
ing-season: September to December (Australia). 
29. Silver Gull Larus novce-hollandice Stephens 
Lar-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. Iufeeds on almost anything, but its natural food con¬ 
sists principally of small fishes and other marine-life; it is also a 
notorious nest-robber, eating the eggs of other sea-birds. As a scavengei 
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. 
