240 LARIN^E. GAY I A. 



third ; tarsus rather short, compressed, anteriorly with nu- 

 merous curved scutella ; hind toe very small and elevated, 

 the fourth a little shorter than the third ; membranes ante- 

 riorly concave ; claws small, slightly arched, compressed, ra- 

 ther acute. Plumage full, close, soft, blended, on the back 

 and wings rather compact ; wings very long, rather narrow, 

 pointed ; tail of moderate length, emarginate or even, of 

 twelve broad, abruptly rounded feathers. 



Species of this genus occur in all climates. In the colder 

 regions they are migratory like the Terns. Five species oc- 

 cur in Britain. The name G-avia I have adopted from Bris- 

 son. 



298. GAVIA ATRICILLA. BLACKISH-GREY-HEADED MEW. 



Bill an inch and three-fourths in length ; tarsus nearly two 

 inches ; wings three inches longer than the tail ; bill and 

 feet rich carmine ; outer quill black, the next five with that 

 colour gradually diminishing, their tips white, those of the 

 outer two excepted. In winter, the back and wings light 

 bluish-grey ; the other parts white ; the head faintly marked 

 with brownish-grey ; a black crescent before the eye, and a 

 grey patch behind it. In summer, the colours similar, but 

 the head and part of the neck blackish-leaden-grey, the lower 

 parts tinged with rose-colour. 



Male, 17, 40, 12, 2, 2, l^, T \. Female, 16, 38. 



This species ranks merely as an accidental straggler, a very 

 few individuals only having been seen in the south of Eng- 

 land. It is said to be abundant on the coasts of the Medi- 

 terranean, and, according to Mr Audubon, is plentiful in the 

 southern parts of the United States. 



Larus Atricilla, Lath. Ind. Ornith.ii. 813. Larus Atricilla, 

 Temm. Man. d'Ornith. ii. 779, iv. 483. Larus Atricilla, 

 Blackish-grey-headed Mew, MacGillivray, Brit. Birds, v. 



299. GAVIA RIDIBUNDA. BROWN-HEADED MEW. 



Bill an inch and a third in length ; tarsus an inch and three- 

 fourths ; wings two inches and a half longer than the tail ; 

 bill and feet rich carmine ; outer four quills and their coverts 

 white, the first with the greater part of its outer margin, the 

 tip, and a narrow band along its inner edge black ; on the 

 next five no black on the outer web, that on the tip more 

 extended, the black band on the inner edge broader ; the tips 

 white, those of the outer two excepted. In winter, the back 

 and wings light bluish-grey ; the other parts white ; the head 



