102 



PALMIPEDES. 

 Family LARIDyE. (Bonaparte.) 

 Genus Larus. f Lmnceus.J 



MEDITEREANEAN BLACK-HEADED 

 GULL. 



Larus melanocephalus . 



Larus melanocejphalus, Natteeek, 



Xema melanocepJialum, Bonaparte. 



Mouefte a capuchon noir, Oe the French. 



Schwarzlcdpfige Move, Of the Germans. 



Gabhiano Corallino, Savi. 



Specific Characters. — Middle toe much shorter than the tarsus; 

 beak strong and large; head entirely black in summer plumage; 

 wings, when closed, pass beyond the tail. Plumage in winter, 

 with the exception of black spots above the head and cheeks, 

 black mark on outer web of first primary, with light slate- 

 coloured mantle, entirely white. Length sixteen inches; carpus 

 to tip twelve inches ; tarsus two inches ; middle toe and claw 

 one inch and three quarters ; beak two inches. 



The Mediterranean or Adriatic Black-headed Gull is 

 found at various parts of the sea-coasts from which its 

 English names are derived. It was first described as 

 a distinct species by Natterer^ and introduced into the 



