156 
LARID.E. 
those, su^citntly varied, that are found on our sea- 
coasts.” 
But for the information of the eurious on these sub¬ 
jects, we shall give an outline of the head of the above- 
mentioned specimen in a future number. 
The common measurements of the adult Herring Gull 
are from twenty-two to twenty-four inches, the entire 
length of the wing from sixteen inches and a half to seven¬ 
teen and a quarter; the beak two inches three lines from 
the forehead, and two inches nine lines from the gape ; the 
tarsus two inches six lines. 
The plumage of the adult bird in summer has the 
head, neck, and all the under parts pure white ; the back, 
wing-coverts, and quill-feathers, cinereous grey; the tips 
of the greater wing-coverts are white ; the first and second 
quill-feathers are black on the outer webs; the third, 
fourth, and fifth have less and less portions of black 
on the outer web ; the sixth and succeeding feather grey, 
tipped w'ith wdiite ; the tip of every quill-feather is white, 
and the shafts of these feathers are of the same colour 
as the several portion of the feathers through w'hich they 
run; the beak is yellow, Avith a red spot on the angle 
of the under mandible; the eyes are pale gamboge yel- 
loAv; the eyelids crimson ; the legs and feet are livid 
yellow. 
The Avinter plumage differs in liaA'ing fine pale broAvn 
streaks on the head and back of the neck. 
The young bird of the year has the beak and legs 
pale flesh red ; the tip of the beak dusky ; the eyes are 
dusky, and so are the entire quill-feathers; the head, 
neck, and all the under parts ash grey, spotted and 
variegated Avith pale broAvn; the upper parts broAvnish 
yelloAv and ash colour, all the feathers being edged Avith 
