MASKED GULL. G7 



In Wales, T. C. Eyton, Esq., of Eyton, has recorded one 

 shot near Bangor. 



In the Orkneys two individuals of this species were taken 

 at Westray; another in 1831. In Shetland one in 1831. 



They have been known to breed in Orkney. 



These birds appear to b easily kept in confinement. 



In their flight they exhibit the 'esprit de corps' of the rest 

 of their family, and wing their way with characteristic ease 

 and grace. 



The eggs are described as of a greyish green colour with 

 dark spots. 



Male; weight, eight ounces and a quarter; length, one foot 

 two to one foot three inches; bill, brownish red. The dark 

 colour, that is to say, the blackish red brown on the head, 

 the lower part the darkest, is in front only, somewhat in the 

 way of a mask, and hence the name of the bird. In winter 

 the dark colour is lost, all but a few dusky grey lines and 

 a small dusky black patch under, and another behind the eye. 

 Crown, dark-coloured in front, the hind part white, as is the 

 neck on the back, and the nape. Chin, blackish brown; 

 throat, blackish brown, mixing with the white of the breast; 

 back, pale bluish grey. The wings expand to the width of 

 two feet eleven inches or three feet; greater and lesser wing 

 coverts, bluish grey; the first primary is white tipped with 

 black, a black line on the middle of the outer web, and a 

 greyish black border along the margin of the inner web, being 

 broadest at the base, the second and third without the black 

 line on the outer web; the fourth and fifth have a greater 

 portion of greyish black on the inner web, and all of them 

 except the first, with their extreme tips white, the shafts 

 white adjoining the white colour. Tertiaries, pale bluish grey, 

 passing into white on the tips; greater and lesser under wing 

 coverts, greyish white. Tail, white; under tail coverts, white. 

 Legs and toes, reddish brown. 



