The present species, however, lias not the dreadful characteristics presented by M. Baillon, 

 although, in common with most ocean birds, it loves to feed on carrion, and will gather in multitudes 

 about the carcase of B whale or seal, oil which fchey easily satiate their rapacity, and procure ample 



provision for the innate gluttony of their young. 



Tin- distinct features by which the Larus Pacificvs differs from all other species are the 

 pearK whiteness of the irides and the deepened form of the bill; their flight is powerful and buoyant, 



performed by graceful, measured heats of their long, extended and arched wings. When a flock has 



alighted on ;i sand bank, or any place affording a level surface, a peculiar action is often noticed to 



he perfon I by some of the birds either walking or running backwards with remarkable celerity, 



patting their feet upon the ground with lightning-like rapidity. 



A> winter approaches, large flocks congregate about the sand hanks and mud flats at the 

 mouths of rivers ami creeks, where, at early morn, they may he observed energetically fishing or 

 picking up the usual crustacea, mollusca. etc., abounding in such localities: and as the heat of the 

 sun becomes powerful, a pretty scene is formed by the birds resting <>n the shore, close to the 

 water, either standing on one foot, with retracted neck, or lying down. 



In the breeding season this species is strictly gregarious, a number of flocks joining together 

 and choosing either some lonely rock, standing well out from the shore, or an inaccessible headland, 

 and here the nursery is established. Many such breeding places are to be found on the islands about 

 Tasmania, particularly those not often visited by man. Three eggs are usually deposited on the bare 

 rock, in such a place as to be safe from breakage ; the ground colour is a pure olive, beautifully 

 marked with blackish and umber-brown streaks and blotches: two inches and five-eighths long by one 

 inch and >e\ en-eighths in breadth is the average size. 



The general plumage of the young birds is light brown, with lighter-hued margins to the 



longer feathers, which gives them a somewhat mottled appearance ; and the bill is a yellowish -brown 



deepening into black at the tip. The complete colour of plumage is not acquired till after several 

 moultings, when the bird is rather more than two years old. 



Head and neck and all the under surfaces, black: lower part of the back and wings, deep 

 slate-colour, with the exception of the inner primaries and the secondaries, which are broadly tipped 

 with white : tail, white, barred near the tip with the same shade as the wings ; irides, white ; legs, 

 yellow : nails, black : bill, a strong yellow, tipped with bright orange-red. 



Habitats: The southern part of the eastern shores of the Australian continent and the 

 islands of Bass's Straits. 



GEXUS BRUCHIGAVIA (Bonaparte.) 



\ \ hi-!* structure, elegant appearance and gracefulness of flight distinguish the Gulls of this 

 genus from the rest of the family. In their general habits and economy they bear much 

 resemblance to the other genera of Gulls; but both this species and B. (;<>»/<h' undergo no change of 

 the head plumage, which is white at all seasons of the year. Two species only are known to inhabit 

 Australia -one the islands of the Society Group in the South Pacific, and another Brazil. 



