1050 LAKHS BRTJNNEICEPHALTJS. 



ture character to disappear, traces of it remaining in the form of spots on some of the feathers, the remainder 

 being pure white. 



Obs. Examples from the Irrawaddy delta are recorded by Dr. Armstrong as measuring : — Length 17-0 to 18 - 2 inches ; 

 wing 12-4 to 13 - 0, expanse 38*75 to 44-25 ; tail 4-8 to 5-2 ; tarsus 1*75 to 2-0 ; bill from gape 2-15 to 2-25. 



I. notice here the beautiful L.gelastes, Licht., the Slender-billed Gull, which is an inhabitant of the region lying between 

 the Mediterranean and the north-west coast of India, and which might perhaps, at some future time, occur in 

 ( Vvlon. It is remarkable for the delicate pink coloration of the upper tail-coverts, neck, and under surface, is a 

 little smaller than the subject of the present article — wing ( J) 11-7 to 12-2, ($) 10-8 to ll'O, bill from gape 

 2-4 to 2 - 6 — and has the bill blackish red and the legs and feet deep red ; the mantle and wings are delicate French 

 grey, and the 1st primary all white, except the tip and the outer web, and the next three with a successively 

 broader tip and a dark band on the inner web. 



Distribution. — This handsome Gull, which is a winter visitor to Ceylon, is very abundant in the north of 

 the island and for a considerable distance down the east and west coasts, beyond which it strays south in 

 limited numbers. It appears about Trincomalie during the month of October, and in November is very 

 numerous, collecting in large flocks, chiefly composed of young birds, in the bays near the fort, when the 

 annual sea-fishing at that season is being carried on. From this time until March they are not uncommon 

 about the salt lakes and on the open shore between Trincomalie and Jaffna. They are found in small numbers 

 alinig the east coast to Batticaloa, and probably extend to the Hambantota district, but I have not noticed 

 them there. At Galle an occasional straggler is seen generally from January until March. In December 

 and March I have seen it about Colombo roads, at the latter date always on its way north. Higher up, on the 

 west roast, it is found in numbers in Kalpitiya Bay and about Karativoe Island, north of which it is 



Subfam. STERCORARIIN/E. 



Bill with the base covered by a cere, hooked at the tip, rather stout and short ; nostrils placed in front of the cere. 

 Wings long and pointed. Tail moderate. Legs longer than in the Larince. Claws hooked. 



Genus STERCORARIUS. 



Bill covered for two thirds of its length by a smooth cere, flattened somewhat at the base ; nostrils narrow and 

 oblique, opening in front of and beneath the cere ; tip hooked, but not elevated ; gouys short and straight. Wing with the 1st 

 quill much longer thau the 2nd. Tail with the centre feathers exceeding the rest ; of 12 feathers. Tarsus much longer 

 than the middle toe, covered in front with stout scales ; feet fully webbed ; claws hooked ; hind toe very small. 



STERCORARIUS ANTARCTIC US. 



(THE ANTARCTIC SKUA.) 



Lestris antarcticus, Less. Traite d'Orn. p. 616 (1831). 



Lestris catarrhactes (Linn.), Mutton, Ibis, 1865, p. 277. 



Stercorarius antarcticus (Less.), Gray, Gen. B. iii. p. 053 (1845) ; Buller, B. of New Zeal. p. 20'7 (1873) : Saunders. 



P. Z. S. 1876, p. 321. 

 Cape Hen of sailors, also Sea-Hen (Layard). 



Adult (Campbell Island, Brit. Mus.). Wing 17'0 inches ; tail 6'5 ; tarsus 3-2 ; middle toe (without claw) 3-0 ; bill to 



gape 2 - 5, height at base 1'0. " Length 24 - 0" (Macgillwray fide Layard). 

 Iris dark brown; bill brownish black; legs and feet black. 

 (Campbell Island.) General colour glossy wood-brown, dark on the head and paler on the neck and under surface, 



