26 
LAUGHING GULL. 
edges sharp and direct, the tip rather obtuse but sharp-edged. Nasal groove 
rather long and narrow ; nostrils in its fore part, longitudinal, sub-medial, 
large, linear-oblong, broader anteriorly, pervipus. Lower mandible with 
the angle long and pointed, the outline of its crura decurved anteriorly, that 
of the ridge slightly concave and ascending, the sides erect and nearly flat. 
Head.of moderate size. Neck of ordinary length. Body compact. Feet 
rather long, stoutish ; tibia bare below for three-fourths of an inch, covered 
behind with narrow scutella ; tarsus compressed, anteriorly covered with 
numerous curved scutella, laterally with small oblong scales, posteriorly with 
small scutella. Toes slender, of moderate length, covered above with 
numerous scutella ; first extremely small, second much shorter than fourth, 
third two-twelfths of an inch longer than the latter ; anterior toes connected 
by reticulated webs, the outer and inner slightly marginate ; claws small, 
slightly arched, compressed, thin-edged, that of the middle toe with an 
expanded inner margin. 
Plumage close, soft, and blended. Wings very long and pointed ; prima- 
ries tapering to a rounded point ; first longest, second a twelfth of an inch 
shorter, the rest rapidly diminishing ; secondaries broad, incurvate, and 
obliquely rounded, the inner straight and more elongated. Tail of moderate 
length, even, of twelve broad, rounded feathers. 
Bill and feet, as well as the margin of eyelids, and the inside of the mouth, 
of a rich deep carmine ; claws brownish-black. Iris bluish-black. The head 
and a portion of the upper part of the neck all round, blackish lead-grey, 
darker on the upper part of the head and along the posterior margin, which 
descends lower in front, or to the extent of about two inches and a half from 
the base of the lower mandible; two narrow white bands bordering the upper 
and lower eyelids. Lower neck all round, the whole surface, the rump and 
tail, pure white ; but the fore part of the neck and the breast, down to the 
legs, of a beautiful light rosy tint. The back and wings are greyish-blue, 
with a very slight tinge of purple, excepting a large terminal portion of the 
secondaries, and the tips of the primaries, which are white. The first pri- 
mary is black, with a tinge of grey on the inner web at the base ; the second 
and third similar,' with the grey more extended ; on the fourth it extends 
over two-thirds ; the fifth is black only for an inch and a half ; and on the 
sixth the black is reduced to two spots near the end ; the other parts and 
the remaining primaries of the same general colour as the back. 
Length to end of tail IT inches, to end of wings 20, to end of claws IT ; 
extent of wings 40f ; wing from flexure 12f§ ; tail ; bill along the ridge 
l}i, along the edge of lower mandible 2J ; tarsus 2 ; hind toe and claw T \ 
middle toe and claw 1 T V ; outer toe and claw li ; inner toe and claw 1 T 3 2. 
The female is precisely similar to the male, but considerably smaller. 
