THE SEA MEW. 307 



blue back. It is seen throughout the year on the coasts of the 

 Mediterranean and the Atlantic. 



The only species of Sea Mew which it is necessary for us to 

 describe are : 



The "White Sea Mew, or Senator (Larus eburneus)* which is 

 found but incidentally in the temperate regions of Europe. It 

 is very common in Greenland and Baffin's Bay. Its plumage is 

 entirely white, tinted with pink underneath ; it has black feet 

 and a bluish bill. 



The Brown-masked Sea Mew (Larus capistratus)] has the top 



Fig. 109. Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus, Yarrell). 



of its head and throat of a light brown colour ; the inside of the 

 wings are light grey ; the rest of its body is white ; and its bill 

 and tarsi are of a reddish-brown colour. This species is common 

 in England. 



The Laughing Sea Mew (Larus ridibundus] J has its head black ; 

 its neck, tail, and lower parts of a white hue. Its back and 

 wings are bluish grey, and its beak and feet vermilion red. This 

 is the species most easily tamed. It is called the Laughing Sea 

 Mew on account of its cry. It is widely spread all over Europe, 

 and builds its nest on the coast at the mouths of rivers. It is 

 only a visitor in France and Germany, but in Holland it is found 

 a permanent resident. 



* Ivory Gull of Yarrell. t The Masked Gull of Yarrell. 



+ Black-headed Gull of Yarrell. 



