380 



8 



visited the breeding-places on the Ladoga, on the 22nd of August, hoping at least to find some 

 young birds there ; but not a single Little Gull was visible. According to the peasants they had 

 all left about a fortnight previously. Several Common Terns, however, had remained behind." 



We have before us a dozen of the eggs of this Gull, collected by Mr. Meves on the Ladoga, 

 now in Dresser's collection. These eggs measure from lf-£ inch by 1^- inch to Iff by 1-^, and 

 most resemble some varieties of those of the Arctic Tern. The ground-colour is greenish olive, 

 lighter in some and darker in others ; and the markings, which are dark brown, are generally 

 distributed over the egg, in some, however, collected round the larger end so as to form an 

 irregular zone. 



In the first Plate we have figured two birds in our own collection, representing an adult 

 male in full breeding-dress and an immature bird. The former example was obtained at Novaja 

 Ladoga, by Mr. Meves during his recent expedition into North Russia ; while the young bird was 

 given to us by Mr. H. J. Elwes, who procured it at Orcos, in Euboea, on the 8th of February 

 1869. In the second Plate are figured an adult bird in winter dress and a very young specimen ; 

 for the loan of these we are indebted to our kind friend Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun. We take the 

 present opportunity of returning our best thanks to this gentleman for lending us a magnificent 

 series of specimens of this species. 



In the preparation of the above article we have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. Sharpe and Dresser. 



a, b, c. 2(?,1$. Novaja Ladoga, May 31st, June 3rd and 6th, 1869 {Meves). d. Russia (Moeschler). 

 e. S J uv - Orcos, Eubcea, February 8th, 1869 {H. J. Elwes) . 



E Mus. J. H. Gurney, jun. 



a. ( ? in breeding plumage). Flamborough Head, July 12th, 1868 (M. Bailey), b. ( $ in winter plumage). 

 Near Bridlington, October 24th 1868 {Jones), c, d, e. Flamborough Head {M. Bailey). f,g. Brid- 

 lington {Jones), h. Filey {D. Brown). 



E Mus. Howard Saunders, 

 a. Leadenhall Market {Burton) . 



E Mus. G. E. Shelley, 

 a. 2- Alexandria, February 28th, 1871 (G. E. S.). 



E Mus. Lord Lilford. 



a. $ . River Volga, April {Moeschler). b. d . Lower Volga, April 1867 {Moeschler). c, d. <S , $. Leadenhall 

 Market, February 1870 {Burton), e. Bay of Butrinto, Epirus, January 5th, 1857 (Z,.). 



E Mus. Salvin and Godman. 

 a, b. 3 , $. Novaja Ladoga, May 31st and June 2nd, 1869 {Meves). 



E Mus. H. E. Tristram. 



a. d . Novaja Ladoga, May 31st, 1871 {Meves). b. 6 . Tunis, January 14th, 1868 {H. B. T.). c. Bridlington 



• {Jones) . 



