Order  VIII.  Anseres. 
r 
The  fifth  Family, 
LARIDiE,  or  Gulls, 
have  the  Bill  of  various  forms,  more  or  less  straight,  and  compressed  on  the  sides  ;  the  Nostrils  lateral, 
generally  longitudinal,  and  submedial  ;  the  Wings  lengthened  and  pointed ;  the  Tail  more  or  less 
long,  and  of  various  forms  ;  the  Tarsi  generally  moderate,  strong,  and  covered  in  front  with  transverse 
scales ;  the  Toes  moderate,  with  the  anterior  ones  united  by  a  full  web ;  the  hind  toe  usually  short  and 
elevated. 
The  first  Subfamily, 
LARINiE,  or  Gulls, 
have  the  Bill  more  or  less  lengthened,  straight,  compressed  on  the  sides,  with  the  culmen  straight  at  the 
base  and  curved  to  the  tip,  which  is  acute ;  the  Nostrils  lateral,  submedial,  and  oblong ;  the  Wings 
lengthened  and  pointed ;  the  Tail  moderate  and  usually  even  ;  the  Tarsi  moderate  and  strong  ;  the 
Toes  moderate,  the  fore  toes  united  by  a  web,  and  the  hind  toe  generally  short  and  elevated. 
Stercorarius  Briss.* 
Bill  moderate,  straight,  and  strong,  with  the  culmen  straight,  rounded,  and  covered  with  a 
membranous  or  bony  cere ;  the  apex  curved,  vaulted,  and  strong ;  the  gonys  much  angulated  and 
ascending ;  the  nostrils  placed  in  the  fore  part  of  the  cere,  narrow,  and  enlarging  anteriorly.  Wings 
lengthened  and  pointed,  with  the  first  quill  the  longest.  Tail  moderate  and  rounded,  with  the  two 
centre  feathers  sometimes  lengthened.  Tarsi  longer  than  the  middle  toe,  strong,  and  covered  in  front 
with  strong  scales.  Toes  moderate  and  strong,  the  anterior  ones  united  by  a  full  web  ;  the  hind  toe 
very  small,  and  hardly  elevated. 
These  bold  and  tyrannical  birds  are  usually  seen  in  pairs,  for  out  at  sea,  in  the  higher  latitudes  of  both  hemispheres. 
Their  flight  is  elevated,  and  performed  in  circles,  especially  when  watching  some  object  which  has  attracted  their 
attention.  They  attack,  while  on  the  wing,  other  birds,  as  terns,  gulls,  and  even  the  albatross,  causing  them  to  drop  or 
disgorge  their  food,  which  they  seize  before  it  reaches  the  water.  At  other  times  they  feed  on  the  floating  carcasses 
of  cetaceous  animals,  as  well  as  eggs  and  young  sea  birds.  Their  nests  are  formed  in  companies,  of  coarse  grass,  on  rocks 
or  on  the  sands.    The  eggs  are  generally  one  or  two  in  number. 
*  Brisson  established  (Oniithologic)  this  genus  in  176'0.  Catarracta  (1764)  of  Briintiich,  Lestris  (1811)  of  Illiger,  and  Prcedatrix 
(181  f>)  of  Vieillot,  are  coequal  with  the  name  employed.    It  is  supposed  to  be  Buphagus  of  Mcehring  (1752). 
