BRITISH BIRDS. 213 



THE LITTLE GULL. 



(Larus MintUus, Pallas. \Ioncttc pygmee, Temm.j 



MONTAGU gives a figure and description of this 

 Gull, as a species hitherto rarely met with on the 

 British shores. It was shot on the banks of the 

 Thames, near Chelsea, and was in the collection of 

 Mr. Plasted, of that place. He describes it as 

 being in its immature plumage, or in an inter- 

 mediate state, or first change, between the nestling 

 and the adult state. It is said to be a native of 

 Siberia and Russia, and the shores of the Caspian 

 Sea. 



A specimen was shot at the mouth of the Tyne 

 by Mr. Thomas Robson, of Swalwell, in September, 

 1835; since then, two others have been shot on the 

 Northumberland coast, and are now in the collec- 

 tion of Mr. John Hancock, of Newcastle. 



