BIRDS — LARIDAE BLASIPUS HEERMANNI. 
849 
The above are Mr. Cassin's descriptions of the adult and young. 
In the collection are seven specimens which I consider to be identical with the above species ; 
one agrees very closely with Mr. Cassin's description of the young ; none of the others have 
the head white, but in most of them this color exists on the throat and is developing itself on 
the head in such a manner as to leave no doubt that it would have become white eventually ; 
the neck is of a clear ash ; the upper tail coverts are of a pearl gray color ; tail rather broadly 
tipped with white. 
In this plumage they agree very well with L. belcheri, Vigors 1 ; the measurements given by 
Vigors are as follows: length, 21 inches ; wing, 11 ; tail, 6 ; bill, 2 ; tarsi, 2. The specimens 
in the collection range in length from 18 to 21 inches ; wings, about 14 ; tail, to 6 ; bill, 2; 
tarsi, 2. Differing from the dimensions of Belcheri only in the length of the wing, which I 
am satisfied is an error, as a wing of 11 inches for a gull measuring 21 in length is out of all 
proportion. 
They also answer very well to the description of L. fuliginoms, Gould, which is thus given 
in the Zool. of the Voy. of the Beagle, Birds, p. 141: 
"The whole of the plumage deep leaden gray; the upper and under tail coverts being 
lightest ; bill red at the base, black at the tip ; feet black." 
"Length, 161 inches ; wing, 13^; tail, 6; tarsi, 2^; bill, 2§," (probably from gape.) 
I incline to the opinion that the three names refer to the same bird, Mr. Cassin describing it 
in perfect plumage as L. heermanni. If this proves to be the case, Vigors' name of Belcheri will 
have priority. 
Note by Dr. Smkley. — " Larus belcheri. Two gulls supposed by me to belong to this species, 
were obtained in the Straits of Fuca, near Whidby's Island, VV. T. Both of these gulls had 
red bills. The species does not seem to be fond of feeding on the shores and bare flats, like the 
L. zonorhynchus and other species, but is almost always found on kelp beds floating in deep 
water some distance from the shore. In these situations both my specimens were shot. These 
gulls, when being skinned, emitted a very rank disagreeable odor, much stronger and more 
unpleasant than that of L. zonorhynchus. ' ' 
List of specimens. 
Catal. 
No. 
Age. 
Locality. 
When 
collected. 
Whence obtained. 
Orig'l 
No. 
Collected by— 
Length. 
Stretch 
Wing. 
Remarks. 
6150 
6449 
6447 
6448 
6475 
Aug. 26, 1856 
556 
557 
89 
19.75 
18.50 
21.00 
20.00 
19.00 
44 50 

Slioalwater bay.... 
Sept. 8, 1854 
Dr. Cooper... 
do 
42.50 
brownish gray. 
O 
Dec. — , 1854 
Lieut. Trowbridge.. 
13.25 
14.00 
43.00 
Bill dark red ; legs black 
Lieut. Williamson. 
1 Larus belcheri, Vig. Zool. Jour. IV, 1829, 358.— Ib. Zool. Blossom, 1839, 39. 
August 27, 1858. 
107 b 
