Order XIV. Gavice 219 



ORDER XIV. GAVI^ 



This Order is here taken to contain the FamiUes 

 Laridce, with the Gulls and Terns, and Stercorariidce 

 or Skuas. They are all seafaring forms, though some 

 breed inland instead of on our shores. The bill is 

 strong, homy, and curved in Gulls; stUl stronger and 

 hooked in Skuas, where it has a hard " cere " or mem- 

 brane at the base ; long, straight, and pointed in Terns. 

 The feet vary in length, the front toes are webbed, 

 the hind-toe is elevated. The wings are long, particu- 

 larly in Terns ; the tail is moderate and even in most 

 Gulls, but in Sabine's Gull is forked, as it is in Terns, 

 where it is prolonged into streamers ; Skuas have the 

 two central feathers elongated. The downy young vary 

 in colour from white and grey to yellow and brown, and 

 are usually mottled or striped ; they lie sluggishly in 

 the nest for some time, though they often leave it 

 and wander about in the day. 



Family LARID.^, or Gulls and Terns 

 The Gulls and Terns together compose one Family, 

 though a Subfamily Larince is often used for the former, 

 and Sternince for the latter. But, whUe combined for 

 anatomical reasons, their habits differ to a considerable 

 extent. Gulls have a steady and often gliding flight 

 and for the most part keep high in the air, if they are 

 not resting on the ground or on the surface of the water ; 

 Terns, often called Sea-swallows, have a much more 

 energetic way of moving, and give an impression of 

 extreme buoyancy as they hover, dart, twist, and turn, 

 whUe uttering their shrill or more or less grating cries. 

 All is excitement, as opposed to the ordinarily placid 

 conduct of the Gull. It is not their habit to repose on 



