LARUS HEERMANNI, WHITE-HEADED GULL. 641 



Bonaparte, in his Conspectns, places bis own Gav'ma or Larnn kamtsrhatlensis as a 

 synonym of nivens Pallas, and also quotes with a query the (iavina cilrlrosiris Bruch, a 

 species founded upon Larus cUrirontris Schimper. Bruch says that caniischatlensis is an 

 " undoubted synonym" of his [Brucb's] cifrirontris. Upon the authority, then, of these 

 writers, their species are reduced to the nivens Pallas. 



In 1h31 Richardson gives as species of North American " Mew Gulls," canns "Linn.," 

 and zonorliynchus and hrachyrhynchus Richardson. The error here is in givinjj; eanus as 

 identical with that of Europe, and in separating hrachyrhynchus from it ; a mistake 

 magnified by nearly all authors, considering all three names as referring to a single 

 species, zonorhynelins. Canus of Nuttall's Manual (1834) is the same as that of Rich- 

 ardson ; canns of Bonaparte's Synopsis (18'28) is the delawarensis. 



Examination of the type-specimens of Lams suckleyi and lilasa septentrionalis of Tua^r- 

 rence, and comparison of them with the type of L. hrachyrhynchus Richardson, shows 

 all three to be identical. Most of the specimens of ^' suckleyi" nre inmiature, and agree 

 in the minutest particnlars with Richardson's type. The type of Eissa septentrionalis 

 is quite mature, and agrees entirely with the large series of skins from the interior of 

 Arctic America, representing what Richardson called "canns." In this connection it is 

 due to Mr. Lawrence to state that at the time of the founding of his species he had 

 not Richardson's type to guide him ; and as '^hrachyrhynchus Rich." had always been 

 •luoted (though erroneously) as the young zonorhynchus, he was obliged to take for 

 granted existing opinions on the subject. 



It is probable that the species sometimes reaches the Missouri region, 

 but I have never seen it there, nor indeed anywliere, alive. 



Siibgenm Blasipus, Bp. 



= Larus, Cass., 111. 1853, 28. {L. heermanni.) 



— Blasipus, Bp., Mss.— Bruch, J. f. 0. 18.")3, 108 (see Bp., R. Z. 1855, 21 ; Scl. «fc Salv., 



P. Z. S. 1871, 573).— Bp., Consp. ii, 1856, 211 (type B. heermanni).— Lxyvn., B. N. 



A. 1858, 848.— CouES, Pr. Phila. Acad. 1862, 204. 

 = ddelarvs^ Bruch, J. f. O. 1853, 106 ; 18.55, 278. 

 = Leucophwns, Bp., Consp. ii, 1856, 231 (type scoreshyi, Trail). 



Bill shorter than head or tarsus, rather slender, moderately compressed, the tip 

 rather acute ; its color red in x^art in the adult. Folded wings reaching beyond the 

 tail. Tail of moderate length, even, slightly emarginate in the young. Feet rather 

 large. Tarsus equal to the middle toe and claw. General colors dark ; tail mostly 

 blackish. 



This section scarcely differs in form from Larus proper, and is only worth recognition 

 as a convenient means of grouping certain species which differ from ordinary Lari in 

 the pattern of coloration, being mostly dark colored, with black or largely dark tail, 

 and not showing the usual "mantle" contrasted with pure white. 



Bonaparte's Conspectus recognizes three species of Blasipus as restricted : heermanni 

 (type), bridf/esi (modestus Tschndi), and crassirostris. He, however, has another " genus" 

 Leucophous, in which he places scoreshyi Traill (hannatorhynclats King), fuliginosus Gould, 

 and helcheri Vigors. The first two of those I have never seen ; the first is said to be 

 peculiar in the depth of its bill ; helcheri has a bill mnch stouter than that of heermanni^ 



LARUS (BLASIPUS) HEERMAN:N^I, Cass. 



Heermaiiirs White-headed Gull. 



Larus heermanni, Cass., Pr. Phila. Acad, vi, 1852, 187; 111. 1853, 28, pi. 5 (adult and 



juvenile).— Hkkrm., P. R. R. Rep. x, 1859, pt. vi, 74. 

 Larus {lilasipus) heermanni, ScL. & Salv., P. Z. S. 1871, 574, cum fig, 

 Blasipus heermanni, Bp., Consp. Av. ii, 1856, 211 ; Comitt. Rend. 1856, 770.— Lawh., B. 



N. A. 1858, 848.— Coop. & Suck., N. H. Wash. Ter. 18(;0, 275.— Couk.-^, Pr. Phila. 



Acad. 1862, 304 ; Ibis, 1864, 388.— Salv., t7>iV?. 1866, 198. 

 .Idelarus heirmanni, Bruch, J. f. O. 1853, 107 ; 1855, 279. 

 Larus helcheri, ScHL., Mus. P.-B. Lari, p. 9,partim. (Unites several specie.*!.) 

 Larus (Blasipus) helcheri, Couics, Key, 1872, 314, excl. syn. fuliginosus Gonld. (Xcc Vig.) 



DlACr. Jdullus jilumheo-schisiaceus suhius dilutior, capitc sensim alho, caudd iota nigricanie, 

 alho-icrminatd, teciricihns superiorihus alhivantihus ; remi(iihus caudd concolorihus, prima- 

 riis interiorihus sccondariistjuc albo-ierniinalis, rosiro ]dvrumque ruhro, jirdihui ruhro- 

 nigricantihus. Long. tot. sesquiped. ; al. 14 poll. ; caud. 5 ; rostri culm. 1.75 ; tars. 2.25. 

 Junior : sat similis, sed obscurior, capite fusro-varirgato, rosiro rix incarnato, apicc nigro. 

 Jtivenis : minor ; corporc toto cum capite fuUginnso, plus minusvr alhido variigato, remigi- 

 bus et reciricibus rix albo-terminatis, rosiro magna vr parte nigro. 

 Hah. — Pacific const of North America, British Columbia to Panama. 

 Adult, breeding jjlumage. — Bill bright verniilion rod, black for its terminal third, some- 

 times wholly red ; a rod ring around eye. Head white ; this color grndually merging 

 41 



