GOG GAVIA CAPISTRATA. 



of the liead not extending fur heyond the eyes ; and the feet 

 reddish-brown, in place of bein<^ blood-red ; the bill, also, 

 shorter and more slender ; the legs shorter ; and the feet 

 smaller. Mr. Yarrel describes an individual, in summer 

 plumage, from Shetland, thus : — " The bill brownish-red ; the 

 head and u])per part of the neck on the sides and front luiir- 

 brown, bounded by blackish-brown ; no dark colour on the 

 occiput, but descending low on the fore part of the neck, 

 where some of the dark feathers were tipped Avith white ; the 

 i-emaining portion of the neck, the breast, abdomen, vent, 

 and tail, pure white ; upper surface of the wings pale ash- 

 grey, under surface greyish-white ; primaries Avhite, edged 

 and tipped with black, broadest on the inner web, the shafts 

 white ; legs and toes brownish-red." 



INI. Temminck, who first characterized it, says it occurs in 

 "Baffin's Bay and Davis' Straits, and is common in the Ork- 

 neys, in Scotland, and showing itself on the coast of England. 

 Mr. Thompson, having critically examined a number of 

 specimens seen in Ireland and elsewhere, at various seasons, 

 considers L. capistratus specifically identical with L. ridi- 

 bundus. The reasons for this apparently correct conclusion 

 may be seen in the third volume of the Natural History of 

 Ireland, I have met with individuals presenting characters 

 similar to those given as distinctive by Temminck ; but not 

 having paid more attention to them than was necessary to 

 note variations in size and colouring, I have nothing to add. 



