86 NOTES ON THE LARID^E. 



very rare with us, I now noticed in great abundance. On the wing it is, I think, 

 more graceful than any other of the genus with which I am acquainted. The in- 

 tensity of the slate-colour on the back, seems to vary considerably in different 

 individuals ; at least no two of those that came under my own observation were 

 alike. I speak, of course, only of adult birds, of which I had several in my 

 possession, with frequent opportunities of observing others. Does this proceed 

 from age or sex, or from both ? — On shooting one of these birds, I noticed that 

 the tips of all the quill feathers were wanting. These, I at first thought, might 

 have been cut off by the shot, so cleanly and evenly were they removed. That, 

 however, appeared too extraordinary, and, remembering a remark of Mr. Blyth's 

 in the second number of your magazine, I came to the conclusion that they were 

 thrown off naturally. Mr. B., however, if I mistake not, speaks of feathers 

 generally, as losing " their extreme terminal edgings in spring and summer." I 

 examined three or four other specimens, with the view of attending to this par- 

 ticular, and found them all similarly defective, in the quill feathers alone. These 

 birds had, however, probably moulted, as it was about the 10th of October. I 

 examined other species of Gull, but found all their wing feathers complete. 



Herring Gull, Larus argentatus. — This beautiful bird is at all times one of our 

 commonest species, and is easily recognised, by the silvery whiteness of its back. 

 It is in fact only a gigantic Common Gull ; and though, as its English name im- 

 plies, an enemy to the Herrings, it certainly seems to have no objection to Sprats 

 or Mackarel, when there are enough for them. 



Common Gull, Larus canus. — Though called common, it is very rare with us, 

 so much so, that in the vast flocks of Gulls I had opportunities of inspecting, I 

 noticed, comparatively, but few specimens. 



Kittiwake Gull, Larus rissa. — Great numbers both of the old and young of 

 this very [pretty little Gull were also with us. The absence of its fourth toe 

 (there being only a small warty protuberance in place of one), at once prevents 

 this bird being confounded with any other species. It is at all times found there 

 (on the Dorset coasts) in considerable numbers. Montagu says, that it is very 

 rare on the southern coast; this is remarkable, unless the observation made 

 above on the Fuscous Gull applies also to the present species. 



Blackheaded Gull, Larus ridibundus. — The Blackheaded Gull is also very 

 numerous, both in the adult and young state, in which latter it is not unlike the 

 Kittiwake. It remains with us the whole year. 



Arctic Skua, Lestris parasiticus. — I think I also observed this bird, but am 

 not certain. As far as I could judge from looking at it through a glass, it agreed 

 with the descriptions usually given of the species. Its continued attacks on the 

 Gulls first led me to notice it. Besides these there were immature birds innu- 



