BLACK-WINGED GULL. 
Xema atricilla, 
Larus atricilla, Zann. 
La Moutte 4a ailes noires. 
In figuring this species of Gull under the specific title of atrici/la, we would beg to observe that it should not 
be confounded with the aéricilla of M. Temminck, which name must necessarily fall in consequence of its 
having been previously given to another species. 
The present bird is common in the United States of America, and was, we believe, the only species of Gull 
figured by Wilson, who considered it to be the true aéricilla of Linneus. Of the capture of this bird in 
Europe no later account has been published than that given in the publications of Montagu, whose original 
specimen, now in the British Museum, has afforded us an opportunity of determining it to be identical with 
the American bird. Beneath we have annexed the account given by Montagu, who clearly points out the 
distinctions between it and the common species, Xema ridibundus. ‘In the month of August 1774, we saw 
five of them feeding in a pool upon the shingly flats near Winchelsea; two only were black on the head, the 
others were mottled all gver with brown. One of them was shot, but although the remaining four continued 
to resort to the same place for some time, the old ones were too shy to be procured. We also saw two 
others near Hastings in Sussex. ‘They may easily be known from the Black-headed Gull even while flying ; 
the flight is different, the bird appears much larger and the tail shorter in proportion.” 
In its habits, manners, mode of nidification and food, this species closely resembles its congeners, feeding 
upon the refuse of the fisherman or any animal substances thrown up by the tide: it may also be observed 
scattered over marshes and newly-ploughed fields busily engaged in searching for worms, insects, and their 
larvee. It usually breeds im the marshes near the coast, and lays three eggs, of a dull clay colour, thinly 
marked with irregular patches of pale purplish brown. 
The whole of the head and the upper part of the neck are blackish lead colour ; circle surrounding the eye, 
the neck, all the under surface, and tail pure white; primaries black, with the exception of their extreme 
tips, which are white; the remainder of the upper surface and wings dark grey passing into white on the 
edge of the shoulder and the tips of the secondaries; bill red; feet reddish brown. 
We have figured an adult of the natural size. ' 
