364 
Synopsis of the Birds 
iittle to southern regions. Formed of but our four spe 
cies. Though united with Larus by authors, very distinct 
from them in nature, and perhaps claiming less alliance with 
them than with Procellaria and Diomedea. Somewhat analo- 
gous to the Eagles. 
304. Lestris catarractes, 111. Bill short, very stout, much 
curved; middle tail feathers equally broad throughout; tarsus 
two inches and three quarters long, moderately rough. 
Adult dark brown, neck and beneath grayish rufous. 
Young wholly brownish varied with rusty. 
Skua Gull, ( Wilson's list?) Lath. Penn. Brit. Zool . t. L. 
fig- 6- 
Inhabits the most northern parts of both continents, migra- 
ting occasionally during winter to the temperate regions. 
305. Lestris pomarina, Temm. Bill short, much curved ; 
long tail feathers equally broad throughout ; tarsus little 
more than two inches long, exceedingly rough. 
Adult dark brown, beneath white ; feathers of the neck 
above long, slender, pointed, glossy yellow. 
Young wholly brownish, varied with rufous. 
Larus parasiticus, Meyer. Vog. Deut. ii.pl . 21. 
Inhabits the Arctic circle, whence it migrates in winter to 
more genial regions : very rare and accidental in the United 
States. 
306. Lestris buffonii, Boie. Bill one inch and a quarter from 
the front, straight, notched; middle tail feathers gradually 
tapering, narrow for several inches, ending in a point; tarsus 
one inch and a half long, almost smooth. 
Adult brown, neck and beneath wdiite, the former tinged 
with yellow. 
Young wholly brownish. 
Arctic Bird, Edward's Glean, pi. 148. Buff. pi. enl. 762. 
Lestris crepidata , Brchm . Not noticed in my Catalogue. 
