GAVi^. 293 



290. LARUS CRASSIROSTRIS. 



(TEMMINCK'S GULL.) 

 LmiM crassirostris, Vieillot, Nouv. Diet. d'Hist. Nat. xxi. p. 608 (1818). 



Temminck's Gull is exactly the same size as the Common Gull, 

 but is slightly darker in the colour of its mantle, which scarcely 

 differs from that of the Eastern form of the Great Black-backed Gull. 



The black band across the end of the tail of the adult of Temminck's 

 Gull is an excellent mark of distinction from the adult of the Common 

 Gull, in which the tail is white throughout. Immature examples of 

 the former have three fourths of the tail nearly black, whilst those of 

 the latter have only one third dark brown. 



Figures : Temminck and Schlegel, Fauna Japonica, Aves, pi. 88 

 (adult and young), as Larus melanurus. 



Temminck's Gull is the common Gull of China and Japan, and 

 breeds in Yezzo (Blakiston, Ibis, 1862, p. 311), and probably in all 

 the Japanese Islands. There are several examples in breeding- 

 plumage in the Pryer collection obtained near Yokohama ; and 

 Mr. Heine, the artist of the Perry Expedition, says that it abounded 

 in the Bay of Hakodadi in May 1854 (Cassin, Exp. Am. Squad. 

 Chiaa Seas and Japan, ii. p. 232) . 



Temmiuck's Gull breeds ia Eastern Siberia, as well as in China 

 and Japan. Eggs in the Pryer collection resemble large eggs of 

 Larus canus. 



291. LARUS CANUS. 

 (COMMON GULL.) 



Larus canus, Linneus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 224 (1766). 



The Common Gull is one of the smaller species. It scarcely differs 

 from Pallas's Herririg-GuU, except in being smaller and in having 

 greener legs. The entirely white tail distinguishes adult examples 

 from Temminck's Gull. In immature examples one third of the tail 

 is dark brown (instead of three fourths being nearly black, as in the 

 young of Temminck's Gull) . The pattern of its primaries is quite 

 different from that of either the Black-headed Gull or the Kittiwake. 



It has been stated that the Common Gulls of East Asia were a 

 larger race than those of Western Europe. A series in the Pryer 

 collection vary in length of wing from 13| to 14J inches, whilst a 

 series from Europe vary from 12| to 14| inches. 



