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226 



LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS — LONGIPENNES. 



other, with a minute spot on each side, opposite the space between the two larger sjiots ; oceiimi 

 with four large spots amingeil in a transverse seres ; below these, three othei-s, their poMitioii 



corresponding to the spaces between tlie spots 

 of the series above ; below these three spots a 

 ragged liiind across eadi side of the naj)e, the 

 two separated by a considerable interval ; then 

 follow two or three sjjots across the lower part 

 of the nape, their form and arrangement being 

 rather indefinite. On tlie lures are three sinuU 

 spots arranged h)ngitudinally ; a spot over each 

 eye ; there are also several irregular large spots 

 on tlie lower part of the head, rather less dis- 

 tinctly defined than the others. Total length, about 10.00 inches ; bill (from culmen), l.do 

 inch.* 



Total length, about 30.00 inches ; wing, 17.(!(V1!).50 (average, 18.48); culmen, 2.40-2.60 (2.49); 

 depth of bill through angle, .98-1.05 (1.01); tarsus, 2.70-3.10 (2.83); middle toe, 2.10-2.50 (2.34). 

 (Five adults.) 



Tlie Great Black-backetl Gull — ov Saddle-back, as it is more coiiiinonly called 

 on the American coast — is a Xortli Atlantic species, common to both the European 

 and the American coasts, and fonnd as far north as the Arctic Circle. It also occurs 

 in the Pacific, as Mr. Swinhoe met with it in Jai)an in ^lay ('"Ibis," 1874). It is 

 found along the entire coast of Europe and North Africa, from Norway to ^ladeira; 

 and it breeds from the northern coast of France and Great Britain northward.^ 



The ]\Iessrs. Godman found this species breeding in large numbers on all the 

 islands off the coast of Norway ; and Mv. Wheelwright also affirms that it breeds 

 along the coast of Scandinavia as far as North Cape; l)ut states that in the south- 

 ern portion of that country it is more common on tlu; Baltic sliore than ahjiig llie 

 Cattcgiit and the North Sea. It also breeds simringly on Lake Wener. 



IMr. Godman, in his paper on the Birds of Madeira and the Canary Islands 

 ("Ibis," 1871), states that several birds of this species followed his vessel from Lis- 

 bon luitil they were nearly in siglit of the Canaries, although he did not afterward 

 meet with any in that group of islands, lie was informed, however, that these birds 

 breed on the Island of Alegranza. ]\Ir. Saunders fouiul them not uncommon, in tlniv 

 immature ])lumage, on the coast of Spain ; adults were comparatively rare. 



According to Yarrell, this sj^ecies is found throughout the year on various parts 

 of the British coast. It does not, however, generally occur in large numbers, and is 

 most frequently seen in pairs. It remains all the year on the flat shores at the motith 

 of the Thames, where it is a marsh-breeder; both male and female birds assisting in 

 building their grassy nests, and driving other birds away. 



According to Thompson, it is a resident species in Ireland. It is found in Wales 

 in abundance on the extensive sandy flats of the coast ; and it also breeds in Scot- 

 land in considerable numbers on Bass Rock, in the Firth of Forth, and in the firths 

 of Sunderlandsliire. 



According to i\Ir. Hewitson, this Gull breeds in abundance on some of the islands of 

 the Orkney and Shetland groups. There it selects with care a place surrounded by 



1 DcsrrH)ed from No. 84765, from Lnbrndor. It iiiiiy be i-eninrked with rcgniil to the markings of the 

 hend, tliut while in the main those of the two sides ooncspond in position, .some of tlipm arc asyiiiiiut- 

 rical ; thus, the left lore has the three s[)ots near ti)f,'ether and roundish in form, the middle one above 

 the others ; the other lore has tlie.se spots juuch farther njiart, in a line with one another, the middle one 

 mueh elonf;rited ; there is but one spot over the right eye, two over the left. 



* The bii'd found in the North Pacific is the closely allied L. sclustisagiis, recently described by Ui'. 

 -Stejneger. — J. A. A. 



