GULL. 



143 



the outer ones five inches long; the others gradually shortening, so 

 that the whole becomes forked by a diminution of nearly one inch ; 

 the wings reach, when closed, an inch or more beyond the longest 

 feathers of the tail ; legs, feet, and claws, black ; the thighs feathered 

 to within three-eighths of an inch of the joint. 



Such is the description of a Gull, which appears to be a new 

 species, for the account of which we are indebted to Captain Sabine, 

 who accompanied the late Expedition in search of a North-West 

 Passage. The description was taken in the breeding season, and in 

 complete plumage; but it is probable, that in its immature and winter 

 state, it resembles other Black-headed Gulls, in being divested of the 

 dark plumage of the head.* 



These birds were met with in considerable numbers in the month 

 of July, on a group of three low rocky islands on the west coast of 

 Greenland, twenty miles distant from the main land, associated with 

 the Common Tern, breeding there, and the nests of both intermingled. 

 This species lays two eggs on the bare ground, one inch and a half 

 in length, of a regular shape, not much pointed, colour olive, greatly 

 blotched with brown : the manners and habits of this bird are but 

 little known, not having been seen in any other instance during the 

 voyage through Davis's Straits and Baffin's Bay; nor did they seem 

 at all to be known to the Esquimaux, who served as an interpreter in 

 the Expedition : they were observed to fly with impetuosity towards 

 persons approaching their nests and young, and seemed to get their 

 food on the sea beach, feeding on the marine insects which are cast 

 on shore. Mr. Sabine describes a Gull with similar plumage, but 

 differing in having an even tail, and wanting the dark collar round 

 the neck: this was brought from Hudson's Bay. 



M. Temminck mentions having seen the Forked-tailed Gull in 

 the Museum at Vienna. 



* In Capt. Parry's Second Voyage, p. 449. a Gull is mentioned with a black ring round 

 the neck, with a beautiful tint of delicate rose-colour on the breast; no further description 

 is given, but that the legs were red. 



