416 BIRDS OF BRITISH BURMAH. 



birds together ; but most of those which visit Burmah are immature. 

 They fly very gracefully, plunging into the water at frequent intervals 

 and floating on its surface during the heat of the day, 



755. LARUS INNOMINATUS. 

 THE LESSER BLACK-HEADED GULL. 

 Lams innominatus, Hume, S. F. viii. p. 394. 



Description. Like Larus ichthyaetus, Pallas, but very much smaller, 

 more black on the primaries, and no white ring round the eye. (Hume.} 



This species was recently described by Mr. Hume under the above 

 designation, and he is of opinion that it is the Larus ichthyaetus minor of 

 Schlegel. He gives the dimensions of an adult female as being wing 16*5 

 inches, tail 7, tarsus 2*51, bill from gape 3, culmen 2' 7. 



The smaller size of this Gull and the absence of white feathers on the 

 eyelids in the summer plumage appear sufficient to separate this species 

 from the preceding. It is, moreover, to be recognized by the greater 

 amount of black on the primaries. Mr. Hume gives an elaborate table 

 showing the distribution of this black on the quills ; but it will, I think, 

 suffice to quote what he says regarding the first primary : " Outer web 

 and nearly terminal half " [ ? of the inner] " black, broad white band 

 across both webs near tip, much less extended on outer web, small white 

 tip." 



This Gull was shot by Mr. Davison on the Ganjam coast at Gopalpore, 

 and subsequently he observed it at Akyab. Mr, Hume also noticed it at 

 the Sand Heads at the head of the Bay of Bengal. It will no doubt be 

 found hereafter to have a much wider range. 



