32 
THE KITTIWAKE GULL. 
head. This species was so abundant on several of the islands of the Bay 
of Boston, that several basketfuls of them were procured in the course of a 
few excursions. When one fell to the water, the rest would hover about 
and around the boat, until many were shot from a flock. The case was the 
same while we were in some of the harbours of Labrador. 
Larus tridactylus, Bonap. Syn., p. 359. 
Larus tridactylus, Kittiwake , Swains, and Bich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 423. 
Kittiwake, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 298. 
Kittiwake Gull, Larus tridactylus , Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iii. p. 186. 
Adult, 18, 361. 
Common as far south as New York. Abundant from Massachusetts east- 
ward. Breeds from the Bay of Fundy northward. 
Adult in summer. 
Bill shorter than the head, strong, nearly straight, compressed. Upper 
mandible with the dorsal line nearly straight and slightly decimate, until 
towards the end, when it is decurved, the ridge convex, the sides slightly 
convex, the edges a little inflected, straight, towards the end declinate and 
arched, the tip rather obtuse. Nasal groove narrow, rather long ; nostril 
in its fore part, lateral, longitudinal, linear, wider anteriorly, open, and 
pervious. Lower mandible with a slight prominence at the end of the 
angle, which is long and narrow, the dorsal line then nearly straight and 
ascending, the sides convex, the edges sharp and inflected. 
Head rather large, oblong, anteriorly compressed. Neck of moderate 
length. Body rather full. Wings long. Feet of moderate length, rather 
strong ; tibia bare below ; tarsus somewhat compressed, covered before and 
behind with numerous broad scutella, the sides reticulated ; hind toe rudi- 
mentary, with a minute knob in place of the claw ; the fore toes rather long 
and slender, the fourth longer than the second, all scutellate above, and con- 
nected by reticulated entire membranes, the lateral toes margined externally 
with a narrow membrane. Claws small, compressed, slightly arched, rather 
obtuse. 
The plumage in general is close, elastic, very soft and blended, on the 
back somewhat compact. Wings very long, rather broad, acute, the first 
quill longest, the other primaries rapidly graduated ; secondaries broad and 
rounded, the inner elongated and narrow. Tail of moderate length, even, 
of twelve rounded feathers. 
Bill pale greenish-yellow. Edges of eyeliis crimson ; iris reddish-brown. 
Feet black. The head, neck, rump, tail, and lower parts generally are pure 
white. The back and upper surface of the wings light pearl-grey. The 
