388 LAUIDiE. 



THE GLAUCOUS GULL. 



Larus glaucus, Brunn. 



Is occasionally obtained on tlie coast, 



And is perhaps less rare than ornithologists generally imagine 

 — as it requires to be seen near to be determined, in con- 

 sequence of its resemblance to the immature great black -backed 

 gull. This latter bird in its adult state, with black back, 

 can be told unerringly at the distance of a mile or more on the 

 beach, but among the birds which are considered its young, and 

 which may be seen every day of the year upon our shores, the 

 L. glaucus may be passed over. I speak of them as they appear 

 at a distance. It may be said that but few specimens have been 

 procm'ed, but this would apply likewise to L. marinus, which, 

 though daily seen, is generally (unless when young) too wary to 

 be shot. 



In Mr. J. V. Stewart's list of the birds of Donegal, published 

 in the 5tli volume of ' Loudon's Magazine of Natural History ' 

 (July 1833), the glaucous gull was, I believe, first noticed as an 

 Irish species, and was marked " rare ;" that gentleman has since 

 informed me that he does not feel certain of its being resident, as 

 mentioned in the published list. In the preceding month of 

 March I had seen one of these birds in the shop of Mr. Glennon, 

 Dublin, to whom it was sent early in the winter of 1831, from 

 the west of Ireland : it agreed with the figure and description 

 of Bewick's " young glaucous gull." 



I have remarked in Mr. H. Ball's collection a specimen, killed 

 at Youghal, in the autumn of 1833 : it is more spotted and barred 

 than the young herring-gull, and is believed to be a bird of the 

 first year. The dimensions taken from the stuffed specimen are — 



Length (total) .... 

 „ of bill above 

 „ „ to rictus . 



„ from carpus to end of quills 

 „ of tarsus . . . . 



of middle toe and nail 



in. 



lin. 



25 







2 



2 



3 



2 



17 







2 



6 



3 



H 



