277 
CHEAP PE ROPE: 
THE LARID&. 
*“ NOTWITHSTANDING the dissimilarity of the biil,” says Mr. Vigors,* 
“the Sterna and Rynchops most intimately accord in habits and 
external characters. The Gull-billed Tern of Colonel Montagu 
conducts us from these genera to the groups which compose the 
Linnean genus Zarws—now divided into two genera, Lestris and 
Larus. From this group we are led to the genera Diomedee and 
Haladroma, by the absence of the hind toe, by means of the species 
Larus tridactylus (Latham), where, though the hind toe is not abso- 
lutely different, as might be inferred from its name, there appears 
but the rudiment of one. The last-mentioned genus, aladroma, 
originally belonged to /Proce//aria, and was separated from it by its 
tridactyle foot. Even in this character, however, it forms a connection 
from Larus to the groups that compose the genuine Proce//aria, all 
of which are distinguished by the singular peculiarity of having no 
true hind toe, but only a nail adhering to the tarsus in its place. 
We thus arrive at the Petrels, separated into groups of the Procel/aria, 
Pachyptila, Puffinius.” 
THE LONGIPENNES (Cuvier). 
The grands voiliers, or long-winged Birds, are thus named from 
their powerful and enduring faculty of flight. Mariners meet with 
them everywhere, and easily recognise them by their long and pointed 
wings, forked tails, and short legs. In this order the back toe 
is unconnected with the others, or is wanting, and the membrane 
which unites the others much notched; their bills are sharp and 
pointed, and without indentations. They pass their lives at a great 
distance from land, and do not approach the shore except for breed- 
ing purposes. To this sub-order belong the Sea Swallows (Sterna), 
* “‘Tinnean Transactions,” vol. xiv, 
