BIRDS OF AMERICA. 
Genus III.— LARUS, Linn. GULL. 
Bill shorter than the head, nearly straight, moderately stout, compressed ; 
upper mandible with its dorsal outline straight to the middle, then decurved, 
the ridge convex, the sides rapidly sloping, the edges sharp and direct, the 
#tip rather obtuse ; nasal groove rather long and narrow ; nostrils sub-medial, 
longitudinal, linear-oblong, broader anteriorly ; 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, the edge-line 
decurved toward the tip, which is narrow but obtuse. Head of moderate 
size, broadly ovate ; neck of ordinary length ; body compact. Feet rather 
long or of moderate length, rather stout ; tibia bare at the lower part ; tarsus 
moderately compressed, with numerous curved anterior scutella, and smaller 
behind ; toes slender, 'of moderate length, scutellate ; first very small, third 
a little longer than fourth. Claws small, slightly arched, compressed, rather 
Vol. VIII. — 2 
