196 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



THE GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. 



GREAT BLACK AND WHITE GULL*. 



(Larus Mariiius, Linn. Gotland a manteau notr, 

 Temm.) 



THIS species measures from twenty-six to 

 twenty-nine inches in length, and five feet nine 

 inches in breadth, and weighs nearly five pounds. 

 The bill is pale yellow, very firm, strong, and 

 thick, and nearly four inches long from the tip 

 to the corners of the mouth: the projecting angle 

 on the lower mandible is red, or orange, with a 

 black spot in the middle, on each side : the irides 

 are yellow, and the edges of the eye-lids orange. 

 The -upper part of the back and wings black: all 

 the other parts of its plumage, and the tips of 

 the quills are w r hite : legs pale flesh colour. 



