THE AEOTIO JAGEE. 
77 
of the quills and only the upper parts of the tail-feathers pure white, the rest 
blackish-brown ; the two elongated tail-feathers gradually diminish in breadth 
towards the extremity, which ends in a very attenuated point ; bill and feet 
as in the old individuals.” 
Captain James Clark Ross has informed me by letter, that this species 
was seen in great numbers during his late voyage towards the Arctic circle; 
that the Pomarine Lestris was less abundant, and Richardok s very rare. 
Lestris Buffonii, Bonap. Syn., p. 364. 
Lestris parasitica, Arctic Jager , Swains, and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 430. 
Arctic Jager, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 317. 
Arctic Jager, Lestris parasiticus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iii. p. 470. 
Male, 23, 45. 
Ranges during winter, along and off the coast, though always in sight of 
land, as far as the Gulf of Mexico. Breeds in high latitudes. 
Adult Male. 
Bill about the length of the head, rather slender, straight, the tip curved. 
Upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, toward the end curved, the 
ridge broad and convex, the sides separated from the ridge by a nai'row 
groove, extremely narrow and convex, the edges sharp and inflected, the tip 
compressed, rather obtuse. Nostrils in the fore part of the nasal groove, 
nearer the tip than the base, sub-marginal, pervious, linear, oblong, wider 
anteriorly. Lower mandible with the angle long and narrow, a slight 
prominence at its extremity, beyond which the dorsal line is straight and 
ascending, the sides sloping outwards and convex, the edges sharp and 
inflected, the tip obliquely truncate and rather obtuse. 
Head rather small, oblong, much narrowed before. Neck of moderate 
length. Body rather slender. Feet rather short and of moderate strength ; 
tibia bare at its lower part ; tarsus anteriorly covered with broad decurved 
scutella, on the sides with oblong scales, behind with smaller oblong 
prominent scales ; hind toe extremely small and elevated, the fore toes of 
moderate size, connected by reticulated webs, which have their margins 
convex ; the third toe longest, the fourth not much shorter, all covered above 
with numerous scutella, the lateral ones margined externally with small 
prominent scales directed forwards. Claws of moderate size, curved, acute, 
compressed, that of third toe with a sharp inner edge. 
The plumage in general is close, elastic, soft, and blended ; the feathers on 
the back and wings rather compact and distinct. Wings very long, rather 
broad, pointed ; primary quills tapering and rounded, the first longest, the 
rest rapidly graduated; secondary rather short, rounded. Tail feathers of 
