PALMirEDES. 



257 



Thk Prions {Pachyptila, lUii^^cr),^ 

 In otlicr respects similar to the Petrels, have separate nostrils hke the Shearwaters, and the beak 

 ividencd at its base, its edges being interiorly furnished with fine, pointed, vertical laminae, analogous 

 to those of the Ducks. 

 Tlipso are the Blue Petrels {Proc. vitfafa and ca'rulca, Forster). 



The Albatrosses {Dioinedea, Lin.) — 

 Are the most massive of all aquatic birds. Tiicir large, stout, and trenchant beak, with stronj^ly 

 marked sutures, is terminated by a hook, which looks as if articuk^ited. The nostrils resemble short 

 rolls, laid on each side of the beak ; and the feet have no hind toe, not even the little nail which is 

 found in the Petrels. They inhabit the Austral seas, and feed on the spawn of Fishes, MoUiisks, &c. ; 

 [indeed, upon whatever falls in their way. They pertain to the same particular group as the Petrels, 

 which they reseml>le in their whole anatomy. Their webbed feet are equally large, and they have the 

 same habit of trampling on the waves]. 



The species best known tonavis"ators, or the Giant Allcitross {D.exulans, Lin.), has been termed the Cape Sheep 

 from its size, having- white plumag-e, and black win^s. The Eno^lish also style it the Man -of- War Bird, [a mistake, 

 as this term applies to the Tachypete]. It is particularly common beyond the tropic of Capricorn, and is the great 

 enemy of the Flying Fish. This bird constructs a high nest of earth, and lays numerous eggs [each individual, 

 however, one only, and generally in company with Penguins], which are esteemed good eating : its cry is very loud. 

 There are three or four others, about two-thirds the size. 



The Gulls (Lams, Lin.) — 

 Have the l>ill moderately long, compressed, and pointed, the upper mandible arcuated towards the tip, 

 and the lower forming a projecting angle beneath. Their nostrils, placed near its middle, are long, 

 narrow, and pierced quite through, [the beak having Httle I)ony substance in comparison with those of 

 the Petrels and Albatrosses]. Their tail is full, the legs tolerably elevated, and the thumb short. 

 They are cowardly and voracious birds, wliich abound along the sea-shore, and feed on all sorts of fish, 

 carrion, &c. They nestle in the sand or in clefts of rocks, and lay few eggs, [generally three in 

 number]. Wlien they come inland, bad weather may be expected. Several species of them are found 

 on our coasts ; and as their plumage varies exceedingly with age, they have been further multiplied by 

 systematists. In general, during youth, they are mottled with gi-cyish. [These birds have a capaciou?. 

 gullet, and small gizzard, w^hich becomes more muscular with age. Their general anatomy is consider- 

 al)ly allied to that of the Calcafores, or Snipes and Plovers. Their toes 

 arc shorter than in the preceding genera, and the feet better titted for 

 walking on land. 



Those of Britain are^the Grr-at Black-backed Gull {L, mar'Ttu-s), white, with a 

 black sadille ; bill four inches long, and with the orbits yellow; of common 

 occurrence; the Glaucous Gull (L. gtaucuti), with a very pale silvery saddle, and 

 entirely wlute quills, from which we do not regard the Iceland Gull [L. iataiuii- 

 ciis, Auct.), of Europe, as distinct, having cbtainetl intermediate specimens of 

 every grade of size; it is rare on the coasts of South Britain: the Herring 

 Gull (L. argentatus), the commonest of all, differing from the lirst chiefly in its 

 inferior size and ash-coloured mantle : the Lesser Blackbacked GmW {L. fuse us), 

 somewhat less than the Heiring Gull, and similar to the first, but not so deeply 

 coloured, and having yellow legs instead of tlesli-coloured, and red orbits ; which 

 is rather conmion ; the Mew Gull {L. ca/tus), a diminutive of the Herring Gull, 

 with white legs : the Kittiwake Gull (L. )isso), rather smaller still, and at once 

 distinguished by the total absence of hind-toe ; both of these being common in 

 particular localities: and the Ivory Gull {L. ebiinieus),the adult plumage of which 

 is wholly pure white, contrasting with black feet, and which is only an occasional 

 straggler in the British seas. All these are, for the most part, rock-builders. 



Others, the Xema of Leach, have a black hood in summer, like the Terns, and arc generally slighter-made, 

 breeding chiefly in marshes. The commonest in Britain is known as the Hooded Gull (L. rkiifnuidus), with the 

 liead and upper neck brownish-black during the breeding season, and bill and legs bright vermilion : the Masked 

 Gull (C. c(7ju;A'^;'a^«i') i^ rather smaller, with the hood considerably reduced, and is not conmion: L. atricilla \% 

 larger than either, with a stouter bill, and black legs ; also very rare : L. Sa/jini, smaller than the Masked Gull, 

 is at once distinguished by its forked tail, and is met with occasionally m Ireland and the we.'^t of Britain : and 

 fj. minufus, the smallest of all, not exceeding ten inches in length, anil equally uncommon upon the British shr.rcs, 

 is known by its size. There are many more, of both dmsions.] 



Fig. 128.— Slernum of Gull. 



