388 
LARIM. 
THE GLAUCOUS GULL. 
Larus glaucus, Brunn. 
Is occasionally obtained on the coast, 
And is perhaps less rare than ornithologists generally imagine 
— as it requires to be seen near to be determined, in con- 
sequence of its resemblance to the immature great black -backed 
gull. This latter bird in its aclult state, with black back, 
can be told unerringly at the distance of a mile or more on the 
beach, but among the birds which are considered its young, and 
which may be seen every day of the year upon our shores, the 
L. glaucus may be passed over. I speak of them as they appear 
at a distance. It may be said that but few specimens have been 
procured, but this would apply likewise to L . marinus, which, 
though daily seen, is generally (unless when young) too wary to 
be shot. 
In Mr. J. Y. Stewards list of the birds of Donegal, published 
in the 5th volume of ‘ Loudon’s Magazine of Natural History 9 
(July 1832), the glaucous gull was, I believe, first noticed as an 
Irish species, and was marked “ rare ” that gentleman has since 
informed me that he does not feel certain of its being resident, as 
mentioned in the published list. In the preceding month of 
March I had seen one of these birds in the shop of Mr. Glennon, 
Dublin, to whom it was sent early in the winter of 1831, from 
the west of Ireland : it agreed with the figure and description 
of BewicFs “ young glaucous gull.” 
I have remarked in Mr. B. Balks collection a specimen, killed 
at Youghal, in the autumn of 1833 : it is more spotted and barred 
than the young herring-gull, and is believed to be a bird of the 
first year. The dimensions taken from the stuffed specimen are — 
in. lin. 
Length (total) 25 0 
„ of bill above 2 2 
„ „ to rictus ....... 3 2 
„ from carpus to end of quills . . . 17 0 
„ of tarsus . . . . . . . . 2 6 
„ of middle toe and nail ...... 3 !-§■ 
