l 2()^ RED-LEGGED GULL. 



The extraordinary variations of plumage to which 

 this bird is subject at different periods of its exist- 

 ence, as well as its annual changes in the adult state, 

 have been the cause of great difference of opinion 

 amongst naturalists as to the identity of certain spe- 

 cimens ; but the subject has been so thoroughly in- 

 vestigated by our countryman Montagu, and also by 

 Temminck, that there appears to be but little doubt 

 of their having arrived at the truth, at least so far as 

 regards the numerous variations : Montagu having 

 fully stated his reasons (in the Linnean Transactions 

 above referred to) for condensing the various syno- 

 nyma of Latham, above quoted, I must refer the 

 reader to that interesting paper, as, on account of its 

 length, it will exceed the limits of this work. I shall 

 therefore give Temminck's description of the stages 

 of its plumage. 



Its length is fifteen inches : its winter dress is as 

 follows : the beak and legs are deep vermilion : the 

 irides deep brown : the head, neck, and tail are pure 

 white, with the exception of a black spot before the 

 eyes, and a large blackish spot on the orifice of the 

 ears : the breast, belly, and vent are white, very 

 slightly tinged with rose-colour : the back, scapulars, 

 and all the wing-coverts are bright ashy-blue : the 

 outer edge of the wing and the quills are pure white ; 

 the exterior quill is bordered longitudinally with black ; 

 and half of its interior web, as well as its point, is 

 deep black j but, in very old birds, the extreme point 

 of them is white ; and when they have not entirely 

 finished moulting there are several indistinct ashy- 

 bands on the head. The young have the head and 



