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Mediterranean coast of Egypt, and Shelley, having included it 

 is my only excuse at present for calling it an Egyptian bird. 



Length about 15 inches. In summer plumage the entire 

 head is deep black, with a small white patch above and below 

 the eye. Tail and lower parts white with a rose pink wash. 

 Mantle and wings pearl grey, with black on quills. Eyelid, bill 

 and legs coral red. 



In winter the head is white streaked with grey and dull 

 black, and the bill and legs are less brightly coloured. 



420. Little Gull. Larus minutus Pallas. 



Lcirus minutus. Shelley, p. 310. 



A winter visitor to the coasts and lakes of Northern Egypt. 

 On one occasion Shelley saw great numbers on Lake Mareotis. 

 At the present time I consider it to be a rare visitor, but, as in 

 the case of other species of gulls, more information is required. 



Length about 11 inches. In summer the head and upper 

 neck are deep black ; lower neck, tail and under surface pure 

 white, with a pink tinge on the abdomen. Mantle pearl grey. 

 Wing quills darker grey. In winter the black of the head is 

 replaced with white faintly marked with pale grey. Bill deep 

 red; legs and feet vermilion. Young birds are spangled with 

 black on the upper parts. 



421. Slender-billed Gull. Larus gelastes Thieneman. 



Larus gelastes. Shelley, p. 306. 



A somewhat uncommon winter visitor, it has been obtained 

 as far south as near Qena in Upper Egypt. 



Length about 16 inches. Head, neck, tail, rump and under- 

 parts white, in fresh plumage suffused with rosy pink ; mantle 

 pale French grey. In this gull the greater part of the first four 

 primaries are white, giving the bird, especially when flying, a 

 distinctly white-winged appearance. Bill, legs and feet liver 

 red. 



422. Brown-headed Gull. Larus ridihundus Linnaeus. 



Larus ridibundus. Shelley, p. 309. 



Abundant on the coast, flooded areas, marshes, and up the 

 Nile from autumn to spring. 



Length about 15 inches. In summer plumage the head, 

 nape and throat chocolate brown. A small white patch on the 

 eyelid. Mantle pale grey ; tail and rump white ; breast and 



