1050 
LARU8 BRIINN EICEPHA LUS . 
tine character to disappear, traces of it remaining in the form of spots on some of the feathers, the remainder 
being pure white. 
°bs. Examples from the Irrawaddy delta are recorded by Dr. Armstrong as measuring Length 17-0 to 18-2 inches • 
wing 12-4 to 13-0, expanse 38-75 to 44-25 ; tail 4-8 to 5-2 ; tarsus 1-75 to 2-0 ; bill from gape 2-15 to 2-25 
I notice here the beautiful L. cjelastes , Licht., the Slender-billed Gull, which is an inhabitant of the region lying between 
tie Mediterranean and the north-west coast of India, and which might perhaps, at some future time, occur in 
Ceylon. It is remarkable for the delicate pink coloration of the upper tail-coverts, neck, and under surface, is a 
little smaller than the subject of the present article— wing ( tf) 11'7 to 12-2, ( $ ) 10-8 to 11-0, bill from' gape 
2-4 to 2-6— and has the bill blackish red and the legs and feet deep red; the mantle and wings are delicate French 
grey, and the 1st primary all white, except the tip and the outer web, and the next three with a successively 
broader tip and a dark band on the inner web. 
Distribution .— This handsome Gull, which is a winter visitor to Ceylon, is very abundant in the north of 
the island and for a considerable distance down the east and west coasts, beyond which it strays south in 
limited numbers. It appears about Trincomalie during the month of October, and in November is very 
numerous, collecting in large flocks, chiefly composed of young birds, in the bays near the fort, when the 
annual sca-fishmg at that season is being carried on. From this time until March they arc not uncommon 
about the salt lakes and on the open shore between Trincomalie and Jaffna. They are found in small numbers 
along the east coast to Batticaloa, and probably extend to the Hambantota district, but I have not noticed 
them there. At Galle an occasional straggler is seen generally from January until March. In December 
and March I have seen it about Colombo roads, at the latter date always on its way north. Higher up on the 
west coast, it is found in numbers in Kalpitiya Bay and about Karativoe Island, north of which it is 
Subfam. STERCORARIINiE. 
Bill with the base covered by a cere, hooked at the tip, rather stout and short ; nostrils placed in front of the cere 
Wings long and pointed. Tail moderate. Legs longer than in the Larina. Claws hooked. 
lienus Si'JiKCUKAKlUS. 
Bill covered for two thirds of its length by a smooth cere, flattened somewhat at the base; nostrils narrow and 
oblique, opening in front of and beneath the cere ; tip hooked, but not elevated ; gonys short and straight. Wino- with the 1st 
quill much longer than the 2nd. Tail with the centre feathers exceeding the rest ; of 12 feathers. Tarsus much longer 
than the middle toe, covered in front with stout scales ; feet fully webbed ; claws hooked ; hind toe very small & 
STEECORARIUS ANTARCTICUS. 
(THE ANTARCTIC SKUA.) 
Lestris antarcticus, Less. Traite d’Orn. p. 616 (1831). 
Lestris catarrhactes (Linn.), Hutton, Ibis, 1865, p. 277. 
Stercomrius antarcticus (Less.), Gray, Gen. B. iii. p. 653 (1845) ; Buffer, B. of New Zeal, p 267 Q8731 • s.nnH™ 
P. Z. 8. 1876, p. 321. 1 ^ bunders, 
Cape Hen of sailors, also Sea-Hen (Layard). 
Adult (Campbell Island, Brit. Mus.). Wing 17-0 inches; tail 6-5; tarsus 3-2 ; middle toe (without claw) 3-0 • biff to 
gape 2-5, height at base 1-0. “ Length 24-0 ” (MacgiUivray fide Layard). 
Iris dark brown ; bill brownish black ; legs and feet black. 
(Campbell Island.) General colour glossy wood-brown, dark on the head and paler on the neck and under surface 
