CHAPTEE III. 



THE LAEID^. 



" Notwithstanding tlie dissimilarity of the bill," says Mr. Vigors 

 {Linn. Trans., vol. xiv.), " the Sterna and Khynchops most inti- 

 mately accord in habits and external characters. The Gull-billed 

 Tern of Colonel Montagu conducts us from these genera to the 

 groups which compose the Linnaean genus Larus — now divided 

 into two genera, Lestris and Larus. From this group we are led 

 to the genera Diomedece and Haladroma, by the absence of the 

 hind toe, by means of the species Larus tridactylus (Latham), 

 where, though the hind toe is not absolutely different, as might be 

 inferred from its name, there appears but the rudiment of one. 

 The last- mentioned genus, Llaladroma, originally belonged to 

 Procellaria, 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 Procellaria, 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 Pro- 

 cellaria (Anet), Pachjptila (Hf.), Pujfucus (Ray)." 



The Longipennes (Cuvier). 



The Grajids 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 



