ZOOLOGY. — BURGOMASTER. 535 



Th« two intermediate tail-feathers are much short- 

 er than those of the parasiticus, and not so pointed. 



4. Larus ehurneus. (Captain Phipps.) — Snow- 

 bird. This bird is not so elegantly formed as the 

 kittywake, but is more remarkable for its immacu- 

 late whiteness. Its length is 19 or 20 inches, 

 breadth across the wings about 3 feet. The feet and 

 legs are black, the bill blackish-green and yellow, or- 

 bits red. The young birds have sometimes black 

 spots on the wings. 



The snow-bird, though so delicate in its appear- 

 ance, is almost as ravenous as the fulmar, and as 

 little nice in its food. It is, however, more cau- 

 tious. It is a constant attendant on the flensing 

 operations of the fishers, where it generally seizes 

 its portion on the wing. It rarely alights in the 

 water, but often sits on the ice, preferring the most 

 elevated situations. Its voice is a loud and disagree- 

 able scream. 



5. Larus glaucus. Burgomaster. — Larus im- 

 periosus might perhaps be a more characteristic 

 name for this lordly bird, and would correspond 

 pretty nearly with the name Burgomaster or 

 Burgermeister, as generally given to it by the 

 Dutch. It may with propriety be called the 

 chief magistrate of the feathered tribe m the 

 Spitzbergen regions, as none of its class dares 

 dispute its authority, when, with unhesitating supe- 

 riority, it descends on its prey, though in the pos- 



