. Reptiles and birds : a popular account of their various orders, with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting . Fig. 104.—Grey Gull. regions, and habitually visits the shores of the Atlantic to the coastof France. The Herring Gull {Lanis argentatus) is white, with a blue is not so large as the previous bird. It is seen throughout theyear on the coasts of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, frequentlyassociated with the Common Grey Gull (Fig. 104). THE SKUA. 28 s The only species ot Rissas necessary for us to describe is theKittiwake {Rissa tridadyla. Fig. 105),
. Reptiles and birds : a popular account of their various orders, with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting . Fig. 104.—Grey Gull. regions, and habitually visits the shores of the Atlantic to the coastof France. The Herring Gull {Lanis argentatus) is white, with a blue is not so large as the previous bird. It is seen throughout theyear on the coasts of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, frequentlyassociated with the Common Grey Gull (Fig. 104). THE SKUA. 28 s The only species ot Rissas necessary for us to describe is theKittiwake {Rissa tridadyla. Fig. 105), which has the top of the headblack, its neck, tail, and lower parts of a white hue ; its back andwings are bluish grey, and its beak and feet vermilion red. It iscalled the Laughing Gull, on account of its cry, and is most easilytamed. It is widely spread all over Europe, and builds its nest onthe coast at the mouths of rivers. It is only a visitor in France andGermany, but in Holland it is found as a permanent resident. Owing. Fig. 105.—Kittiwake. to this Species possessing great diversity of plumage at different ages,this Bird has received several names, and been divided into as manyspecies, which modern research has proved to be erroneous. The Grey Kittiwake (Larus ca?ius) is often called the Sea plumage is of a beautiful white colour, with a grey back. It iscommon in summer in the regions of the Arctic Circle; in autumnand winter it is found on the sea-coasts of temperate Europe. The Skua, or Dung-bird {Stereo?aria), is remarkable for its stoutbill, which is nearly cylindrical, and covered with a membrane fromthe base as far as the nostrils ; the upper mandible is convex,hooked, and armed at the extremity with a crooked point, whichalmost appears as if it was supplementary. These birds principally 286 REPTILES AND BIRDS. frequent the sea-shore, but at the time of storms they venture furtherinland. They fly very rapidly, even against the strongest wind. Theyp
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectreptiles, bookyear1
