162 THE BLACK- HEADED GULL. 



inches and a half long; the nostril is placed rather lew 

 the eyes are black; above and below each eye there is a 

 Bpot of white; uhe head and part of the neck are black, 

 remainder of the neck, breast, whole lower parts, tail- 

 coverts^ and tail, pure white; the scapulars, wing-coyerts, 

 and whole upper parts, are of a Cne blue ash colour ; the 

 first five primaries are black towards their extremities ; the 

 accondaries are tipped largely with white, and almost all 

 the primaries slightly ; the bend of the wing is white, and 

 nearly three inches long ; the tail is almost even ; it con- 

 sists of twelve feathers, and its coverts reach within an inch 

 and a half of its tip ; the wings extend two inches beyond 

 the tail ; a delicate blush is perceivable on the breast an (J 

 belly. 



The head of the female is of a dark dusky slate colour ; 

 in other respects, she resembles the male. 



We are inclined (says Wilson) to the opinion, that the 

 three GruUs of Latham, viz., the Black-headed Gull, the 

 Red-legged Grull, and the Laughing Gull, are one and 

 the same species, the very bird which we have been 

 describing, the difference in th-eir markings arising from 

 their age and sex. We feel emboldened to this declaration 

 Prom the circumstance of having ourselves shot Gulls which 

 corresponded almost precisely to those of the above author, 

 of the same habits, the same voice, and which were found 

 associating together. 



In some individuals, the crown is of a dusky graj ; iha 



