296 



with light flesh-coloured feet, younger individuals having the head, 

 nape, and back thickly strewn with light reddish-brown spots, and 

 the vent and ab domen almost entirely grey-brown." 



If not a distinct species, L. Hutchinsii must either be an 

 albino or represent a particular stage of some gull species, 

 which, in the latter case, cannot but be L. glaucus. This bird, I pre- 

 sume, can hardly be a true albino, in the same sense as is a 

 white crow, starling, or sparrow; for it is difficult to conceive why 

 this species, rather than others of the genus, should display 

 so singular a tendency to that variation. Probably the truth 

 is, that L. Butchinsii represents a particular, if not a regular 

 stage in L. glaucus. Indeed the comparatively small number of 

 such individuals observed in a species so abundant, plainly indicates 

 the exceptional character of the dress; transitions, on the other 

 hand, are sufficiently numerous; but the conditions under which a 

 pure white plumage may occur have not yet been pointed out. 

 If this bird be actually L. glaucus in an eærUetr stage. 1 the singu- 

 lar phenomenon would be at variance with analogy as regards 

 the gradual development of plumage in the other northern Lari. 

 Is it not more probable rather that such individuals are old birds, 

 in which the light-blue mantle from some unknown cause has gra- 

 dually paled, fading at last into pure white, a change of coloration 

 also observed in the feet and irides. 



Lar us f.uscus, Lin. 

 Breeds in colonies, on the outermost rocks, along the whole 

 coast-line, and in greater numbers here than any other species, but 

 almost invariably by itself. A few pair, however, are al\vay> to 

 be found nesting in company witli their congeners on the iimer 

 holms and islets, and even on the shores of freshwater-lakes near 

 to the sea. 



The eggs of this species differ but little in size and colour, 

 and are best distinguished from those of L. argvntatus by their 

 peculiar lengthened shape.* 



1 Hlasius, „Kritische Bcmci kunden feber die Lariden," Jonrn. f. Ornith. 1865. 



