106 NEWTON ON BIRDS IN GREENLAND. 



nest seems to have been undiscovered until 1853, when Sir L. 

 M^Clintock found one on Cape Krabbe (lat. 77° 25' N.), containing 

 a single egg (Journ. R. Dubl. Soc, i. p. 57, pi. 1). Subsequently 

 two eggs were obtained by one of the Swedish Expeditions in 

 Spitsbergen, and these seem to be the only authenticated speci- 

 mens that have been brought to the notice of naturalists. The 

 bird itself is far from being uncommon in collections, and in some 

 parts of the Arctic Regions is pretty plentiful. It is subject to 

 some variation in size, and especially in the relative dimensions of 

 some of its parts, but there is no good reason to suppose that there 

 is more than one species of the genus. 



33. Rissa tridactyla. Kittiwake. " Tattarak." 



Breeds in both Inspectorates, but more commonly in the 

 Southern. Recorded by Graah from the Eastern Coast of Green- 

 land, though not observed there by the German Expedition. Its 

 limits to the northward have not been laid down. The black 

 quill-feathers of its wings are an unfailing distinction between 

 this Gull and any other of its size likely to be met with far 

 north. 



(45.) Larus argentatus. Herring Gull. 



An accidental and extremely rare bird in Greenland, where 

 it can only be a straggler, and is not known to have occurred 

 further north than Godthaab. Dr. Walker says he saw it at 

 Frederikshaab. A pair observed at Winter Island, 29 June, 

 1822. Larger than the preceding species, but like it has 

 black primary quills. A doubtful species (Z. affinis, Rein- 

 hardt), with a darker back, is said to have been obtained in 

 Greenland, while on the other hand a form, with a paler 

 back (Z. chalcopterus, Licht.) — of which only three specimens 

 have been procured, — seems to indicate a transition to the 

 next. 



34. Larus leucopterus. Iceland or Lesser White- winged Gull. 



" Nayangoak." 

 Breeds in both Inspectorates, but more commonly in the 

 Southern. Also observed on the East Coast, and said to breed on 

 the Parry Islands. In Greenland it is reported to be the most 

 common Gull after the Kittiwake. Its comparatively small size, 

 pale blue mantle (which, however, is subject to some variations 

 of shade), and white primaries distinguish this species from any 

 other. Immature birds vary greatly in the intensity of the brown 

 clouding of the plumage. 



35. Larus glaucus. Glaucous Gull or Burgomaster. *' Naya." 



" Nayavek," " Nayainak." 

 The most common large Gull in Greenland. At Najartut, south 

 of Godthaab, said to breed by itself, but most generally in com- 

 pany with Rissa tridactyla and L. leucopterus. Subject to the 

 same variation of shade as the latter, but the existence of species 

 called L. arcticus and L. glacialis has not been confirmed. 

 Found also on the west side of Davis Strait and the East Coast of 



