310 BIEDS OF EGYPT. 



there was a plague of locusts in the land, we met the present 

 species far up the river in large flocks, busily engaged in 

 devouring these insects. 



Adult in hreeding -plumage . — Head and throat dark brown, 

 with a small white patch above and below the eye ; neck, 

 upper part of the back, tail-coverts, tail, and under surface of 

 the body white ; remainder of the back, scapulars, secon- 

 daries, inner primaries, and greater part of the wing-coverts 

 pearl-grey ; carpal bend of the wing, outer wing-coverts, and 

 greater part of the four outer primaries white ; the outer web 

 of the first primary, the tips of all, and part of the inner 

 web of the larger ones black ; legs, beak, and eyelids brownish 

 red ; irides dark brown. 



In winter. — The head white, a dusky patch in front of 

 the eyes, and often some dusky feathers on the back of 

 the head. 



Entire length 15 inches; culmen 1*5; wing, carpus to 

 tip, 12"5 ; tarsus 1'6. 



Fig. Gould, B. of Eur. pi. 425. 



344. Larus minutus. Pall. Little Gull. 



This species is to be met with in the Delta, and I one day 

 saw it on Lake Mareotis in great numbers. On the large 

 lake of the Fayoom I also believe that I saw a pair in company 

 with L. ridibundus. 



My description is taken from a specimen obtained at 

 Alexandria on the 28th of February. 



Winter plumage. — Back and wings pearl-grey, with the tip 

 of the quills white ; remainder of the plumage white, the 



