274 



wholly ash-grey, slightly paler at the tips. Irides silvery white ; bill dark arterial red, lighter on the 

 ridge and towards the tip ; eyelids and feet pale arterial red, the claws brownish black. Length 14 - 5 

 inches; extent of wings 34; wing, from flexure, 1125 ; tail 5 ; bill, along the ridge 125, along the 

 edge of lower mandible 1"75; bare tibia - 5 ; tarsus T75; middle toe and claw 175. 



Obs. It should be observed that the markings on the primaries vary slightly in different individuals. The 

 above description is taken from a fine specimen in perfect plumage. 



Young (Larus jamesoni, Hutton) . The young bird of the first year has the upper wing-coverts shaded and 

 blotched more or less with brown ; the first primary white at the base, then entirely black in its whole 

 length, excepting only a fusiform spot of white about '75 of an inch in extent in its apical portion ; 

 the next quill is similar, but with more white at the base, and a much smaller apical spot ; the three 

 succeeding quills white on their outer webs, in their basal portion, entirely black beyond ; the secon- 

 daries are ash-grey at the base, blackish brown in their apical portion, and tipped with lighter grey. 

 Irides purplish brown ; bill yellowish brown, blackish at the tip ; legs and feet pale flesh-red. 



Obs. It ought to be mentioned that the size and form of the apical spots on the primaries, and the extent 

 of the brown markings on the secondaries, are very variable in different examples. I have seen a young 

 bird with the white apical markings described above entirely wanting in one wing, and represented in 

 the other only by a small round spot on the inner web of the first primary. 



This pretty little Gull is one of our commonest birds, frequenting every part of the coast and 

 being equally plentiful at all seasons of the year. It is a bird of very lively habits, and its 

 presence goes far to relieve the monotony of a ride over such dreary stretches of sand as the 

 Ninety-mile Beach and the coast-line between Wanganui and Wellington. At one time you 

 will meet with a flock of fifty or more in council assembled, fluttering their wings, chattering 

 and screaming in a state of high excitement; at another you will observe them silently 

 winnowing the air, turning and passing up and down at regular intervals, as they eagerly scan 

 the surface of the water. Here you find them ranged apart along the smooth beach like 

 scouts on a cricket-ground ; there you see a flock of them packed together on a narrow sand- 

 spit, standing closer than a regiment of soldiers — heads drawn in, one foot up, " standing at 

 ease." Then again, if you observe them closely, you may see them following and plundering 

 the Oyster-catcher in a very systematic manner, Nature has furnished the last-named bird with 

 a long bill, with which it is able to forage in the soft sand for blue crabs and other small 

 crustaceans. The Mackerel-Gull is aware of this, and cultivates the society of his long-billed 

 neighbour to some advantage ; he dogs his steps very perseveringly, walking and flying after 

 him, and then quietly standing by till something is captured, when he raises his wings and 

 makes a dash at it. The Oyster-catcher may succeed in flying off with his prey ; but the jflunderer, 

 being swifter on the wing, pursues, overtakes, and compels a surrender. The gentleman of the 

 long bill looks gravely on while his crab is being devoured ; and having seen the last of it he 

 gives a stifled whistle and trots off in search of another, his eager attendant following suit. 



It frequents our harbours in large numbers, hovering round the shipping and associating 



