534 ACCOUNT OF THE ARCTIC llEGIONS. 



Lauus : — Gull. 



1. Lauus rissa. Kittywake. — Occurs in con- 

 siderable numbers in the Spitzbergen Sea, and fol- 

 lows ships on their passage. It is seen in every 

 part of the Northern Atlantic from Britain to the 

 highest latitudes ever visited. It feeds eagerly on 

 the blubber of the whale, but generally seizes its 

 morsel on the wing. 



S. 'Larus parasiticus. Arctic gull. — This pre- 

 datory bird is rarely seen at a distance from the 

 land, except about the parallel of Jan Mayen, 

 where it is observed in constant pursuit of the 

 kittywake. The kittywake being a better fisher than 

 the former, is constantly chaced until it gives up 

 any food it may have procured, which the arctic 

 gull generally catches before it falls into the water. 

 The arctic gull occurs about the shores of Spitz- 

 bergen, where it not only feasts itself at the expence 

 of other birds, on food obtained by them, but also 

 preys upon their eggs and young. It is rarely seen 

 in the water ; being generally on the wing. It is 

 easily distinguished by two tapering tail-feathers, 

 which extend 5 or 6 inches beyond the rest of the 

 tail. 



3. Larus crepidatus. — Black-toed gull or boat- 

 swain. The habits of this are similar to those of the 

 former species, and it occurs in similar situations. 



