364 Synopsis of the Birds 



little to southern regions. Formed of but our four spe 

 cies. Though united with.Larus by authors, very distinct 

 from them in nature, and perhaps claiming less alliance with 

 them than with Procellaria andDiomedea. Somewhat analo- 

 gous to the Eagles. 



304. Lestris catarkactes, 111. Bill short, very stout, much 

 curved; middle tail feathers equally broad throughout ; tarsus 

 two inches and three quarters long, moderately rough. 



Adult dark brown, neck and beneath grayish rufous. 



Young wholly brownish varied with rusty. 



Skua Gull, (Wilson's list?) Lath. Penn. Brit. Zool. t. L. 



Inhabits the most northern parts of both continents, migra- 

 ting occasionally during winter to the temperate regions. 



305. Lestris pomarina, Temm. Bill short, much curved ; 

 long tail feathers equally broad throughout ; tarsus little 

 more than two inches long, exceedingly rough. 



Adult dark brown, beneath white ; feathers of the neck 

 above long, slender, pointed, glossy yellow. 



Young wholly brownish, varied with rufous. 



Larus parasiticus, ISlcyer. Vog. Deut. ii.pl. 21. 



Inhabits the Arctic circle, whence it migrates in winter to 

 more genial regions : very rare and accidental in the United 

 States. 



306. Lestris BuFFoNir, Boie. Bill one inch and a quarter from 

 the front, straight, notched ; middle tail feathers gradually 

 tapering, narrow for several inches, ending in a point ; tarsus 

 one inch and a half long, almost smooth. 



Adult brown, neck and beneath white, the former tinged 

 with yellow. 



Young wholly brownish. 



Arctic Bird, Edward's Glean, pi. 148. Buff. pi. enl. 762. 

 Lestris crepidata, Brehm. Not noticed in my Catalogue. 



