Mr Harvie-Broivn on Specimens of Arctic Gulls, etc. 301 



XXII. Exhibition and Remarks upon a Specimen of Larus 

 Kumlieni {Brewster), from Cumberland Inlet, North 

 America; also Specimens o/Xema Sabinii (Sabine), and 

 other Arctic Gulls. By John A. Harvie-Brown, Esq., 

 F.E.S.E., r.z.s. 



(Read 21st January 1885). 



This specimen of Larus Kumlieni was shot on the land at 

 Newgummiloak,— long. 64° 30' W., lat. 64° N., on August 

 20th, 1884, by Mr John Henderson, who is employed in the 

 whale fishery annually, and was on board the steam-whaler 

 " Maude," of Dundee, captain John Watson. Others of the 

 same species were seen, but no more obtained. The young 

 of this comparatively newly described species is still a 

 desideratum in most, if not in all, European and even 

 American Ornithologist's Collections; and has not been 

 described, so far as I know. 



Larus Kumlieni was described by Brewster in the Bulletin 

 of the ''Nuttall Ornithological Club," 1883, p. 216; and 

 drawings of the primary wing-feathers are there given. A 

 somewhat interesting account of its plumage, habitat, and 

 presently known range, and the distinctions between it and 

 its two nearest Arctic allies — L. ylaucescens and L. leucopterus 

 — follows. The habitat therein given is Cumberland Inlet 

 {auct. Kumlien) and Greenland (Bruch.), migrating south in 

 winter to the Bay of Fundy and Grand Menan. After 

 giving dimensions, and noticing the distinguishing characters, 

 Brewster says : — " In many respects L. Kumlieni bears a 

 curiously close resemblance to L. leucopterus, .... 

 several specimens before me being positively identical in 

 general colouring. The only tangible point of difference 

 seems to be, that of the peculiar wing-markings of L. 

 Kicmlieni. This, of course, is conclusive ; but it is a matter 

 of opinion whether it indicates a stronger affinity with 

 glaucescens. ... A large series may establish a com- 

 plete intergradation ; but, on the other hand, my light 

 extreme (the type) suggests a similar transition into L. 

 leucopterus!' 



