BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



361 



Xcsaer a5Iach:^bache£) (BulL 



The Lesser Black-backed Gull {Lams fuscus^ Linn^us) 

 is a resident in the British Isles, but subject to much local 

 movement after the nesting season. This gull is also found 

 inhabiting most parts of Europe and North Africa. The 

 adult in summer has the mantle and wings dark slate; 

 innermost secondaries and longest scapulars, with white 

 tips ; quills black, tipped with white ; remainder of plumage, 

 pure white ; irides, light yellow ; bill, yellow, angle of lower 

 mandible, red; legs and feet, rich yellow. Length, from 

 eighteen to twenty-three inches. The female is a little 

 less than the male. The young are similar to immature 

 examples of Lanes argentaius^ but the general colouration 

 of the upper parts is darker. 



