PARASITIC GULL. 
Lestris parasiticus, /7/. 
Le Stercoraire parasite. 
Tuts very elegant and delicately coloured species of Lestris is, we believe, the true parasztzcus of Linneus, 
Buffon, and Temminck. On comparison it will be found to differ very materially from the Lestris Richardsoniz, 
but to which it forms the nearest approach, exhibiting, however, a well-defined specific character. Nothing 
can be more beautiful and complete than the regular gradation which characterizes the species of the genus 
Lestris : commencing with the Skua, which is the largest, a concatenation may be observed throughout the 
whole. As the species diminish in size, the elongated tail-feathers are still more lengthened. This character 
is carried to an extreme in an American species, which is rather smaller than LZ. parasiticus, and has the - 
central tail-feathers at least five inches longer, while in the Skua they scarcely extend beyond the remainder 
of the tail. 
We have not been able to ascertain whether the Lestris parasiticus breeds among the British Isles, and it 
is certainly of rare occurrence. Its natural habitat appears to be more confined to the North, viz., the shores 
of the Baltic Sea, the rugged coasts of Norway and the polar regions. M.Temminck informs us, that it 
migrates periodically into Germany, Holland and France, but mostly in its immature state. It feeds on fish, _ 
insects, and portions of dead cetacea, which it usually procures by harassing and buffeting unfortunate Gulls 
and Terns, until they are obliged to lighten their bodies by disgorging half-digested fish, &c., the fruits of the 
labour and search of several hours. 
Although it is probable that this bird undergoes variations in plumage similar to those of the Leséris 
Richardsonu, we are by no means able from our own knowledge to state this to be the case; as in all the 
specimens which we have had opportunities of examining, the markings have been clear and decided, the birds 
exhibiting a well-defined dark-coloured cap on the head, light under parts, and very long middle tail-feathers. 
The female differs but little in plumage from the male, and the young resemble in colouring the other 
species of the genus of the same age. 
The top of the head and the space between the bill and the eyes. of a deep blackish brown, terminating at 
the occiput, the whole of the upper surface of a clear brownish grey ; quill- and tail-feathers much darker ; 
the throat, neck, and under surface of a pure white, with the exception of the cheeks and sides of the neck, 
which are tinged with a delicate straw-yellow ; legs and feet black. 
Total length 21 inches ; wing 112 inches; middle tail-feathers 12 inches, exceeding the rest of the tail 
62 inches; beak 14 inch; tarsus 14 inch. 
We have figured an adult male three fourths of the natural size. 
