246 
GREY-CAPPED GULL. 
fact, of this part is not so dark as that which covers 
the back and upper plumage, although the margins 
of the hood are darker. The two first quills are 
deep black, with a large white spot on both webs 
removed about three-fourths of an inch from the 
tips ; at the base of the second quill is a wdiite spot, 
this becomes larger on the third and fourth, until, 
in the fifth quill, it spreads and occupies the whole 
of the outer shaft ; the sixth quill is grey outside, 
except near the end, where it becomes white ; at this 
part it is crossed by a band of black, leaving the 
extreme tip pure white ; the third, fourth, and fifth 
quills have all white tips, but those w T hich follow 
are without. It deserves notice that the quills and 
wing-covers beneath are much darker than on then- 
upper surface ; the margins of the wings, and the 
whole of the spurious quills, tail, and under plumage, 
are pure white ; the middle tail-feathers are shorter 
than the lateral, hut they are all broad and very ob- 
tuse, the wings extend near two inches beyond the 
tail. In the young, or female, or in the winter 
plumage, the grey hood is not clearly defined. The 
bill and feet are deep crimson. 
Total length, 16 inches ; bill, from the gape, 2- 1 4 J ; 
front, 1 t 4 s ; wings, 12^; tarsus, 2; hind toe and 
claw, t 4 o ; middle ditto, 1 j s B ; the hind toe is near 
twice the length of its claw. 
