LITTLE GULL. 289 



LITTLE GULL. 



(Larus minutus, Pallas. Gmel. Lath. Ind. sp. 5. Temm. Man. 

 d'Orn. ii. p. 787. Bonap. Syn. No. 292. Naum. Vog. Nachtr. 

 tab. 3. fig. 72. [adult.]) 



Sp. Charact. — Mantle pearl grey ; quills white at the point, shafts 

 blackish ; tarsus 1 inch long ; hind toe very small, with the nail 

 straight and scarcely apparent. — Summer plumage ; with a black 

 hood ; wanting in the winter. Young spotted with grey and black- 

 ish, tail somewhat forked, with a black subterminal band : feet 

 livid carneous. 



This small species inhabits the north of both continents, 

 and was seen in the fur countries in Franklin's first expedi- 

 tion, but does not appear to be at all common in those coun- 

 tries, and is equally rare in the United States. In eastern 

 Europe, Russia, Livonia and Finland, it is common, but 

 very rare in Germany and Holland. It inhabits the banks 

 of rivers, lakes, and the interior seas of eastern Europe, 

 particularly the shores of the Caspian and its tributary 

 streams, and migrates in summer northward up the Wolga 

 in order to breed. It is said to nest also in the eastern and 

 warmer parts of Europe. Like the other small species it 

 feeds upon insects and worms. 



The length of the Little Gull is about 10^ inches. Winter plum- 

 age of the adults, with the front, space between the eye and bill, a 

 large spot behind the eyes, throat, all the other lower parts and the 

 tail, pure white. Occiput, nape, spot before the eyes and upon the 

 orifice of the ears blackish-ash. All the other upper plumage of a 

 pale bluish-ash, the quills also of this color, but tipped largely with 

 pure white ; the interior of the wings black. Bill and iris blackish- 

 brown. Feet of a very lively vermilion-red. The wings extend an 

 inch beyond the extremity of the tail. 



Summer and nuptial plumage. — All the head and the upper part 

 of the neck, clothed, as it were, with a black hood. A white cres- 

 cent behind the eyes, a portion of the lower part of the neck, and 

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