Order 6. 



PALMIPEDES. 



245 



The Prions {Paehyptila, Illiger), — 

 In other respects similar to the Petrels, have separate nostrils like the Shearwaters, and the beak 

 V idened at its base, its edges being interiorly furnished with fine, pointed, vertical laminae, analogous 

 to those of the Ducks. 

 Tlipso are the Blue Petrels {Proc. vittata and cwrulea, Forster). 



The Aleatrosses (Diomedea, Lin.) — 

 Are the most massive of all aquatic birds. Their large, stout, and trenchant beak, with strongly 

 marked sutures, is terminated by a hook, which looks as if articulated. The nostrils reseml)le short 

 rolls, laid on each side of the beak ; and the feet have no hind toe, not even the little nail which is 

 found in the Petrels. They inhabit the Austral seas, and feed on the spawn of Fishes, Mollusks, &c. ; 

 [indeed, upon whatever falls in their way. They pertain to the same particular group as the Petrels, 

 ■which they resemble in their whole anatomy. Their webbed feet are equally large, and they have the 

 same habit of trampling on the waves]. 



The species best known to navigators, or the Giant Albatross (D. exulans, Lin.), has been termed the Cape Sheep 

 from its size, having white plumage, and black wings. The English also style it the Man- of-War Bird, [a mistake, 

 as this terra applies to the Tachypete]. It is particularly common beyond the tropic of Capricorn, and is the great 

 enemy of the Flying Fish. This bird constructs a high nest of earth, and lays numerous eggs [each individual, 

 however, one only, and generally in company with Penguins], which are esteemed good eating : its cry is very loud. 

 There are three or fom' others, about two-thirds the size. 



The Gulls {Larus, Lin.) — 

 Have the bill moderately long, compressed, and pointed, the upper mandible arcuated towards the tip, 

 and the lower forming a projecting angle beneath. Their nostrils, placed near its middle, are long, 

 narrow, and pierced quite through, [the beak having little bony substance in comparison with those of 

 the Petrels and Albatrosses]. Their tail is full, the legs tolerably elevated, and the thumb short. 

 They are cowardly and voracious birds, which abound along the sea-shore, and feed on all sorts of fish, 

 carrion, &c. They nestle in the sand or in clefts of rocks, and lay few eggs, [generally three in 

 number]. When they come inland, bad weather may be expected. Several species of them are found 

 on our coasts ; and as their plumage varies exceedingly with age, they have been farther multiplied by 

 systematists. In general, during youth, they are mottled with greyish. [These birds have a cajjacious 

 gullet, and small gizzard, which becomes more muscular with age. Their general anatomy is consider- 

 ably allied to that of the Calcatores, or Snipes and Plovers. Their toes 

 are shorter than in the preceding genera, and the feet better fitted for 

 walking on land. 



Those of Britain are — the Great Black-backed Gull (L. marinus), white, w ith a 

 black saddle; bill four inches long, and with the orbits yellow; of common 

 occurrence : the Glaucous Gull (L. glauctts), with a very pale silvery saddle, and 

 entirely white quills, from which we do not regard the Iceland Gull (i. islandi- 

 cus, Auct.), of Europe, as distinct, having obtained intermediate specimens of 

 every grade of size ; it is rare on the coasts of South Britain : the Herring 

 Gull (L. argentatus), the commonest of all, differing from the first chiefly in its 

 inferior size and ash-coloured mantle: the Lesser Blackbacked GnW {L. fuscus), 

 somewhat less than the Herring Gull, and similar to the first, but not so deeply 

 coloured, and having yellow legs instead of flesh-coloured, and red orbits ; which 

 is rather common : the Mew Gull (L. catius), a diminutive of the Herring Gull, 

 with white legs : the Kittiwake Gull (i. rissa), rather smaller still, and at once 

 distinguished by the total absence of hind-toe ; both of these being common in 

 particular localities: and the Ivory Gull (L. ebiirneus),tt\e adult plumage of which 

 is wholly pure white, contrasting with black feet, and which is only an occasional 

 straggler in the British seas. All these are, for the most part, rock-builders. '•'ff- 128.— sternum of GuIi. 



Others, the Xema of Leach, have a black hood in summer, like the Terns, and are generally slighter-made, 

 breeding chiefly in marshes. The commonest in Britain is known as the Hooded Gull (L. ridibiiiidiu), with the 

 head and upper neck brownish-black during the breeding season, and bill and legs bright vermilion : tlfs Masked 

 Gull (L. capistratus) is rather smaller, with the hood considerably reduced, and is not common : L. atricilla is 

 larger than either, with a stouter bill, and black legs ; also very rare : L. Sabini, smaller than the Masked Gull, 

 is at once distinguished by its forked tail, and is met with occasionally m Ireland and the west of Britain : and 

 //. minutus, the smallest of all, not exceeding ten inches in length, and equally uncommon upon the British shores, 

 is known by its size. There are many more, of both divisious.] 



