209 



Larus hemprichi (BrvcJi). 



(Plate XVI. fig. 4.) 



Larus hemprichi, Heuql. Vdq. N.O.-Afr. ii. pt. II, p. 1399, pi. oO. fip:. o 

 (1873); Oates edl Hume, Xests ^- Erj(}s Ind. B. iii. p. 293 (1890); 

 Saunders, Cat. Bird.'i B. M. xxv. p. 221 (1896); Sharpe, Iland-l. i. 

 p. 140 (1899). 



The eggs of Hempricb's Gull are all very ranch of one type and 

 may be easilj' recognized. They are of a broad, and somewhat 

 pointed, oval form. The ground varies between cream-colour and 

 pale creamy buff. The markings, consisting of spots and small 

 blotches with, occasionally, a few lines, are all distinct and separate 

 and show no tendency to be confluent, nor are they, as a rule, more 

 densely disposed at the large end than elsewhere. In fact, the 

 even distribution of the markings over the whole sheU is the leading 

 feature of the eggs of this species. The surface-markings are of 

 various shades of yellowish brown, occasionally deepening to a 

 chocolate-browu, the underlying markings being very pale purple. 

 The eggs vary from 2-1 to 2-45 in length, and from 1"45 to 1*72 in 

 breadth. 



135. Island of Astolah, Mekran Coast, Hume Coll. 

 6th Aug. {E. A. Butler). 



Larus crassirostris, V. 



(Plate XYII. fig. 4.) 



Larus crassirostris, SwinJwe, Ibis, 1875, p. 138 ; Seebohm, Birds Japan. 

 Emp. p. 29;} (1890) ; Saunders, Cat. Birds B. M. xxv. p. 227 (1890) : 

 Shar}7e, Hand-l. i. p. 140 (1899). 



The few eggs of Temminck's Gull in the Collection are very 

 uniform. They are of a regular oval form. The ground-colour is 

 olive-brown, and it is evenly marked all over with spots and very 

 small blotches of yellowish and chocolate-brown, with some under- 

 lying pale purple clouds and streaks. Seven specimens measure 

 from 2-35 to 2-5 in length, and from 1*7 to 1"8 in breadth. 



4. Yokohama, Japan {II. Prr/er). Seebohm Coll. 



3. Alceste Island, Shantung I'romon- Saunders Coll. 

 tory, China, 10th June. 

 VOL. I. p 



