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CETOSPARACTES. WHALE-GULL. 



Most authors have considered the only known species of 

 this genus as in no Avay remarkable among other Gulls, 

 unless on account of its white plumage ; several, however, 

 have taken notice of its comparatively stout bill, very short 

 rough tarsi, and crenated interdigital membranes ; while a 

 few hold it to be entitled to generic distinction. With these 

 latter I agree, although differing from them in their applica- 

 tion to this new genus of the name Gavia, which having been 

 by Brisson bestowed upon the smaller Gulls, ought, I think, 

 to be left with them. The name which I have chosen for it, 

 Cetosparactes, compounded of K^roc, whale, and 27rapa»c7»?c, 

 tearer, is suggested by its Avell-known habit of attending on 

 the whale ships, and greedily devouring blubber and other 

 animal matter. 



Bill short, robust, compressed, straight ; upper mandible 

 with the dorsal line somewhat concave at first, then arcuato- 

 declinate, the ridge broadly convex, narrowed but convex 

 beyond the nostrils, the lateral sinus rather short, wide and 

 feathered, the nostrils medio - basal, linear-oblong, wider 

 anteriorly, covered above and behind with a sloping thin- 

 edged plate, the branches convex, the sides beyond the nostrils 

 sloping and convex, the edges thin, direct, the tip obtuse, 

 very slightly prolonged; lower mandible narrower, compressed, 

 with the intercrural space rather long and narrow, the crura 

 slightly inclined outwards, and a little convex, their loAver 

 outline straight, forming a very slight prominence at the 

 commissure, the dorsal line ascending and almost straight, 

 the edges thin and somew-hat inflected, the tip narrow, rather 

 obtuse ; the gape-line commencing beneath the eyes, nearly 

 straight until beyond the nostrils, when it becomes arcuato- 

 declinate. 



