BRITISH BIRDS. 



209 



THE BLACK-HEADED GULL. 



BLACK-CAP, OR PEWIT GULL. 



(Larns Ridibundus, Linn. Mouette rieuse ou a 

 capuchon brun y Temm.) 



THIS pretty-looking bird measures fifteen inches 

 in length, and thirty-six in breadth, and weighs 

 about ten ounces. The bill is rather slender, and 

 of a full red: irides hazel; edges of the eye-lids 

 red; head black; in some specimens it inclines to 

 a mouse-coloured brown. The back and wings are 

 of a delicate pale bluish ash colour; the neck, tail, 

 and all the under parts, pure white. The first 

 quills in the specimen from which the above draw- 

 ing was made, were black on the outer webs ; those 

 next them white, and black towards their tips: 

 others of the quills were partly ash-coloured, and 

 partly white : the legs red. 



VOL. II. 



2 D 



