232 
CHARADRIIFORMES 
A bird of anomalous habits and the only species of gull breeding in 
the northern hemisphere and migrating northward as far as Canada in 
winter. A few, probably sub-adult, are to be seen on the Vancouver 
Island shores in summer. 
39. Ivory Gull, la mouette ou mauve blanche. Pagophila alba. L, 16-19. 
Entirely pure white when adult. Juvenile with slight grey clouding in front of eyes, and 
sparse, "sharply defined, dark feather edges and flecks on the larger feathers (Figure 338). 
Distinctions. The only absolutely pure white gull with black legs. Young Glaucous 
and Iceland Gulls are not only larger birds, 
but, though nearly white, are always slightly 
clouded with brownish ash, and with legs brown 
horn colour to flesh-pink. 
Field Marks. Too rare to be recorded on 
sight. 
Distribution. The Arctic seas, more com- 
mon on the east than the west coast. In winter 
south to the coasts of the Maritime Provinces. 
Three specimens have been taken in Manitoba, 
near the big lakes, and other individuals in Oassiar 
and Okanagan Districts of British Columbia. 
Too rare except in the far north to be further mentioned. 
Ivory Gull; scale of wing, f. 
Juvenile 
' 
40. Kittiwake. la mouette ou mauve A trois doigts. Rissa tridaclyla. L, 16. 
A medium-sized gull of the same general coloration as the Herring Gull ( See page 222). 
Distinctions. Both coasts. May always be known by the almost total absence, or 
rudimentary condition of the hind toe. The tail is also slightly forked, the outer feathers 
being a quarter to half an inch longer than the 
centre ones (Figure 339). Of Pierring Gull type 
of coloration but even smaller than the Ring- 
billed which are the only species in the east from 
which it will need particular distinction. About 
the same size and general appearance as the 
Short-billed of the west coast. Wing tips black 
without the white sub-apical spots common to 
those species. Dark brown or black legs and feet 
and evenly yellow bill will distinguish it from any 
other gull with which it might be confused. 
The juvenile kittiwake, unlike juveniles of 
most other gulls, is not brownish or clouded any- 
where with any shade of ash. The white below is 
always pure and the mantle clear slaty. There is a dark aural spot, a heavy' band of dark 
about the base of the hindneck, and another along the greater wing-coverts, making a 
bar across the base of the flight shafts (Figure 340). The tail has a subterminal bar. 
, V-,' 
. , v 1 
Figure 330 
Wing, foot, and tail of Kittiwake. 
Figure 340 
Kittiwake; scale, 
Juvenile 
