108 GREAT BLACK-HEADED GULL. 



* 



In "Naumamiia" for 1856, p. 164, there is an 

 account by J. G, F. Beaumont, of the capture of a 

 bird of this species in the lake of Geneva, It was in 

 the young plumage. He describes it as closely allied 

 to Larus marinus (the Greater Black-backed Gull) in 

 its young state; but he says the colouring is clearer, 

 and the beak and feet weaker in L. ichthyaetos. The 

 following is his description of this bird, killed in the 

 end of the year 1848: — 



"Throat and upper part of neck clear white. The 

 breast, belly, flanks, and under tail coverts are every- 

 where dull white, with large bright brown spots on 

 each feather, darker on the sides. Cheeks and sides 

 of neck white, with fine grey brown stripes on each 

 feather; head, neck, mantle, and all the wing coverts 

 greyish white, with brown spots, darker than the under 

 parts. Tail dotted and marbled with very dull brown, 

 the two outer feathers whiter than the others, the two 

 middle feathers almost entirely brown, all barred at 

 the tips with a broadish brown band. Wing primaries 

 blackish brown, with clearer tips; beak blackish; basis 

 of lower jaw flesh-coloured; feet the same; iris clear 

 brown." 



Mr. Beaumont then makes some very just remarks 

 about the absurdity of creating the genuis Xema for 

 dark-headed Gulls with thin beaks, and naively asks, 

 where are we to place this giant of black heads, with 

 the beak of Larus and the dark head of Xema. 



My figure is from the English specimen in the late 

 Mr. Ross's collection, a drawing of which, with Mrs. 

 Ross's consent, has been taken for this work by the 

 Rev. F. Wright, of St. Stythray, Cornwall, to both of 

 whom my best thanks are tendered. 



The figure of the e^,§ is from Thienemann. 



