378 



ORNITHOLOGY. 



Specimens, from the coast of Oregon, are in the collection, but we 

 have, unfortunately, no memoranda nor notes relating to it. Very 

 fine specimens have been brought home in the collections of natu- 

 ralists who have visited California, especially in those made by Mr. 

 J. G. Bell, of New York, and by Dr. Heermann, of Philadelphia, and 

 it appears to be a common bird of the western coast of North 

 America. 



Though much resembling Larus argentatus, this species constantly 

 differs, suflficiently to be entitled to a separate designation. It is not 

 impossible, however, that this bird is the Larus niveus, Pallas, as above 

 cited, and, in fact, the description of the latter applies very nearly in 

 all respects, except the color of the bill and of the feet, both of which 

 are liable to variation, especially in preserved specimens. This fine 

 species is not given in Audubon's Plates, nor are we acquainted with 

 any figure of it, unless it is that of Pallas, above mentioned. It is 

 regarded by late ornithologists as belonging to the genus Laroides, 

 Brehm. 



3. Larus fuliginosus, Goidd. 



Larus fuliginosus, Gould, Voy. Beagle, Birds, p. 141 (1841). 

 Adclarus Nvptunus, BoiNAP. Consp. Av. II, p. 232 (1856). 



Several specimens of this species, from the coast of Peru, vary con- 

 siderably in the colors of their plumage, and are apparently immature. 

 They are, however, all characterized by the fuliginous color of their 

 plumage, which appears to be that of the young bird. 



Mr. Peale notices this bird as follows : 



" Was seen occasionally from Cape Horn to Callao, on the coast of 

 Peru. Many specimens were obtained, which vary much in plu- 

 mage. The males are about one-fourth larger than the females, and 

 sometimes have the abdomen entirely white. The young birds are 

 wholly fuliginous-brown, with yellowish edges to the dorsal feathers, 

 wing-coverts, &c. Tail, in all stages of plumage, margined with white, 

 which forms a conspicuous character." 



This Gull appears to be another of the common birds of this family, 

 inhabiting the coasts of Western South America. It is found from 

 Chili to Cape Horn, and probably extends its range more northwardly 



