THE GULL. 15f 



below and French-grey above, is so much of a family 

 livery that it would not be very distinctive if there 

 were several species to be confounded together here. 

 But this is not the case, for the only other Gull one 

 is at all likely to see in Calcutta is a familiar home 

 bird, the Laughing Gull (Larus rididundus), so abun- 

 dant and tame in Scotland, and reputed to be thfr 

 producer of many of the " Plover's eggs " of 

 commerce. This bird is, however, slightly smaller 

 than the commoner Indian one, has dark instead of 

 light eyes, and — a much more noticeable distinction — 

 the longest flight-feathers, forming the tip of the 

 wing, mostly white, while in the bigger bird these are 

 chiefly black. By this the young birds also may be 

 distirguished ; in both species they are much Uke 

 each other, having the upper plumage more brown 

 than grey, and a broad black band at the end of the 

 tail. Moreover, their legs and bills are only coloured 

 orange, instead of the rich deep red which adorns 

 these parts in the old birds. As in all Gulls, there 

 is no difference in plumage between male and female. 

 But, like the pigeons, in which a siinilar equality 

 usually exists, Gulls are very demonstrative in their 

 courtships, as may be seen in the captive birds at 

 Alipore Zoo. The attitude which the enamoured 

 Gull apparently considers most attractive is an 

 arched neck and wings opened in front, while kept 



