od consists chiefly of small fish which they secure by hovering
above the water, and then plunging upon them. They are less often seen
on the surface of the water than are the Gulls.

[Illustration 040: Walter Raine. CHARACTERISTIC NEST OF A LOON.]
[Illustration: Left hand margin.]

Page 39

39. IVORY GULL. _Pagophila alba._

Range.--Arctic regions; south in winter to the northern border of the
United States.

The little Snow Gull, as it is often called, is eighteen inches in
length. In the breeding season the plumage is entirely white; the bill
is tipped with yellow and there is a red ring around the eye. These
Gulls nest in large colonies in the Arctic Regions, placing their nests
on the high rocky cliffs. The nest is made of grass, moss and rubbish,
and the three eggs are laid during June. The eggs are olive color and
the markings are dark brown.

40. KITTIWAKE. _Rissa tridactyla trydactyla._

Range.--North Atlantic and Arctic regions, breeding from the Gulf of the
St. Lawrence northward and wintering south to the Great Lakes and Long
Island.

The Kittiwake is sixteen inches in length, has a pearly gray mantle,
black tips to the primaries, and remainder of plumage white. Its hind
toe is very small being apparently wanting in the eastern form, while in
the Pacific it is more developed. These are very noisy Gulls, their
notes resembling a repetition of their name. They are very common in the
far north, placing nests on the ledges of high rocky cliffs, often in
company with Murres and Auks. They gather together a pile of sticks,
grass and moss, making the interior cup-shaped so as to hold their two
or three eggs. Large numbers of them breed on Bird Rock, they occupying
certain ledges while the Gannets and Murres, which also breed there,
also have distinct ledges on which to make their homes. The breeding
season is at its height during June. The eggs are buffy or brownish gray
and are spotted with different shades of brown. Size 2.25 x 1.60.
Data.--So. Labrador, June 15, 1884. Three eggs. Nest made of seaweed and
moss, placed on ledge of cliff. Many Murres nesting on other ledges.

[Illustration 041: Ivory Gull. Kittiwake.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 40

40a. PACIFIC KITTIWAKE. _Rissa tridactyla pollicaris._

Range.--Coast of the North Pacific, wintering south to California.

The Pacific Kittiwake breeds in immense rookeries on some of the islands
in Bering Sea. Th