Capt. Sabine's Memoir on the Birds of Greenland, <^c. 547 



between the two species is in the difFerencc of size ; the males 

 of this species average twenty-four inches in length, and the fe- 

 males rather less : extent four feet five to four feet six inches : the 

 legs and bill of both are alike, except in size : length of the tarsus 

 two inches and a half; the wings of the argentatus are rather 

 longer in proportion than those of the glaiiciis. 



These birds were abundant in Davis's Straits and Baffin's Bay, 

 but were only seen in mature summer plumage : from analogy it 

 may be expected that the immature birds will resemble those of 

 the Glaucous Gull. 



I should have been disposed to have considered this bird as a 

 new and undescribed species; but in a personal communication 

 with Mr. Temminck, whose extensive skill and judgement in or- 

 nithology are only equalled by the liberality and kindness Avith 

 which he communicates his knowledge, I have learned that he 

 considers the bird of Greenland to be specifically the same with 

 the Herring Gull of the more southern shores of Europe; but 

 that from the effect of climate the black markings of the primary 

 quill-feathers, which have been hitherto considered an essential 

 characteristic of the species, are changed to white in the arctic 

 countries. The mature summer birds of Greenland (in which 

 state only I have seen them) certainly strongly resemble our Her- 

 ring Gull in all other points. In deference therefore to such high 

 authority, I add the synonyms of the authors I quote belonging 

 to that bird, as it is found in temperate climates. 



L. Tuscus. Lath. Iiid. Orri. ii. 815. Mii/l. no. 1(54. Faun. Suec. 54. — L. Glaiicus. 

 Temm.AQn. — HerringGuU. La</j.Si/n.vi.37'2. Br.Zoo/.Vi. ISl. Mont.Dict.SiSiipp. 



Mature Winter. L. Argentatus. Gmel. i. 600. Briin. no. 149. — Silvery 

 Gull. Lath. Si/n. vi. 375. ^rct. Zool. ii. 533. 



Mature Summer. L. Fuscus. Gmel. i. 599- Brun.no. 142. — Herring Gull. 

 Jrct. Zool. ii. 527. 



Immature. L. Varius. Briin. no. 150. — Wagel. -drcl. Zool. Sttpp. 70. 



VOL. XII. 4 B Before 



