Chapter XLV: Colymbinæ. Divers and Grebes, 351 (13)

Bill about the length of the head, rather slender, nearly straight, compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the dorsal line concave, until on the unguis, where it is decurved, the ridge convex, flattened toward the end, separated from the sides by a narrow groove, the sides convex, the edge sharp and nearly straight as far as the unguis, which is decurved, convex above, acute, its tip ascending far beyond that of the lower; lower mandible with the angle long and very narrow towards the end, filled up by an extensile membrane, which extends to the level of the angle of the mouth; the outline of the crura very slightly convex, that of the terminal part descending and very slightly convex, the sides convex, the edges sharp and inflected, the tip compressed, with its marginal outline decurved. Nostrils obliterated (in youth open). Head rather small, oblong; neck long and rather thick; body full, elongated, depressed. Feet short, stout, placed far behind; tibia feathered in its whole length; tarsus very short, strong, much depressed, covered all round with angular scales; a series on part of the inner side anteriorly, and another on the lower part of the outer, scutelliform. Toes all placed in the same plane, connected by webs, and covered above by very numerous oblique scutella; first the smallest, fourth the longest. Claws rather small, strong, compressed, acute, convex above, arched, that of the third toe pectinated on its inner edge. Plumage soft, generally blended, compact on the back and wings; the small gular sac, and the space before and beneath the eye, with the eyelids, bare. Wings of moderate size, broad; primaries curved, pointed, the second longest. Tail of moderate length, very narrow, much rounded, of twelve or more narrow strong-shafted feathers. Gular sac small; tongue extremely small; œsophagus very wide; proventricular glands disposed in two large roundish masses; stomach small, slightly muscular, inner coat smooth and soft; a globular or triangular pyloric lobe; duodenum at first curving upwards; intestine very long, and of moderate width; cœca small; rectum narrow; cloaca globular. Trachea considerably flattened; bronchi of moderate width.

416. 1. Phalacrocorax Carbo, Linn. Great Cormorant.

Plate CCLXVI. Male, Female, and Young.

Tail of fourteen feathers. In summer, a small longitudinal occipital black crest, and numerous linear elongated white feathers on the head and upper part of neck; bill dusky, with the lower mandible whitish toward the base; gular sac yellow; plumage black, glossed with deep greenish-blue; at the base of the gular sac a broad gorgelet of white; a patch of white on the side over the thigh; feathers of wings and part of the back dull bluish-grey, glossed with bronze, their fringe-like margins greenish-black; primary quills greyish-black, secondary like the other wing-feathers; tail greyish-black; shafts of all the feathers black at the end, leaden-grey towards the base. Female similar. After the breeding season the white feathers on the head and sides fall off. Young, before being fledged, with the skin dull livid, the bill dusky, at the base flesh-coloured, the feet purplish-dusky, the webs yellowish-brown.

_Male_, 37, 62.

Ranges during winter southward to New York. Abundant from Massachusetts eastward. Breeds on high precipitous rocks, in Newfoundland, Labrador, and Baffin's Bay. Migratory.

Phalacrocorax Carbo, Bonap. Syn. p. 402.

Cormorant, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 479.

Common Cormorant. Phalacrocorax Carbo, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iii.
p. 458.

417. 2. Phalacrocorax dilophus, Swains. Double-crested Cormorant.

Plate CCLVII. Male.

Tail of twelve feathers. In summer an elongated tuft of about forty long, slender, loose, recurved feathers, from behind the eye to the length of an inch and a half on each side; upper mandible dusky, along the edges greenish-yellow, lower yellow, irregularly marked with dusky toward the edges; bare space on the head, and gular sac rich orange; plumage greenish-black, strongly glossed with green; imbricated feathers on the back and wings greyish-brown, their fringe-like margins greenish-black; primary quills brownish-black, secondary like the other wing-feathers; tail black; the shafts of all the feathers black. Female similar to the male. After the breeding season the tufts disappear. Young after the first moult have the head and neck mottled with greenish-black and greyish-brown, the other parts as in the adult, but the tufts on the head wanting.

_Male_, 33, 51.

Common as far south as the coast of Maryland, in winter. Breeds in Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as on the Saskatchewan.

Pelecanus (Carbo) dilophus, Double-crested Cormorant, Swains.
& Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii. p. 473.

Double-crested Cormorant, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 483.

Double-crested Cormorant, Phalacrocorax dilophus, Aud. Orn.
Biog. v. iii. p. 420; v. v. p. 629.

418. 3. Phalacrocorax Floridanus, Aud. Florida Cormorant.

Plate CCLI. Male.

Tail of twelve feathers. In summer an elongated series of about forty linear feathers directed backwards, commencing behind the eye, and extending to the length of an inch and a half on each side; upper mandible black, along the basal margin bright blue, lower bright blue, spotted with white; bare space on the head and gular sac rich orange; plumage greenish-black, strongly glossed with green; imbricated feathers on the back and wings greyish-brown, tinged with purple, their fringe-like margins greenish-black; primary quills brownish-black, secondary like the other feathers of the wing; tail brownish-black; shafts of all the feathers brownish-black. Female similar to the male. After the breeding season the tufts disappear. Young after the first moult with the bill dull yellow, the ridge of the upper mandible dusky, naked parts of the head rich yellow; upper part of the head and neck brownish-black, tinged with green, throat grayish-white; fore neck and anterior part of breast variegated with pale brownish-grey and black; the rest of the plumage as in the adult, but the imbricated feathers of the upper parts lighter. This species differs from the last, chiefly in being smaller, and in having the elongated feathers behind the eye more slender and directed backwards instead of being recurved.

_Male_, 29-1/4, 46-1/2.

Constantly resident in the Floridas and their Keys, and along the coast to Texas. The young in summer pass up the Mississippi and Ohio, returning in autumn to the sea. Abundant. Breeds on trees only.

Phalacrocorax Floridanus, Florida Cormorant, Aud. Orn. Biog.
v. iii. p. 387; v. v. p. 632.

419. 4. Phalacrocorax Townsendi, Aud. Townsend's Cormorant.

Plate CCCCXII. Fig. 2. Male.

Tail of twelve feathers; plumage of the neck and sides interspersed with linear white feathers: bill yellow, with the ridge brown; gular sac and bare skin on the head bright orange; upper part of head and hind neck dusky, tinged with green; hind part of back greenish-black; the rest of the upper parts brownish-grey, each feather edged with black; quills brownish-grey, similarly edged with black; outer primaries and tail-feathers black; sides of the head, fore part of neck, and breast light yellowish-brown; the middle of the neck in front darker, the sides, abdomen, and tibial feathers shaded into brownish-black, tinged with green. This description from a single individual shot on the 8th of October. Another individual, apparently a bird in its first plumage, has the head and upper part of the fore neck darker, the middle of the breast lighter, the feathers on the back margined with greyish-brown, and an inner band of dark brown; its bill is longer, but more slender, the unguis less curved, the feathers not entirely obliterated from the space before the eye, and extending farther on the gular sac.

_Male_, 35, wing 12-1/2; tail 6-3/4.

Cape Disappointment, Columbia River. Common.

Phalacrocorax Townsendi, Townsend's Cormorant, Aud. Orn. Biog.
v. v. p. 149.

420. 5. Phalacrocorax resplendens, Aud. Violet-green Cormorant.

Plate CCCCXXII. Fig. 1. Female.

Bill scarcely as long as the head, slender, dusky; tail of twelve feathers; gular sac and bare skin on the head, bright orange; plumage silky and splendent, deep green, seeming black in some lights and bright green and purple in others, the somewhat compact feathers of the back edged with dark purple; along the sides of the neck and the hind part of the sides of the body, numerous white piliform feathers terminated by a pencil of filaments; quills and tail-feathers brownish-black and less glossy. This description from an individual shot in October.

_Female_, 27; wing 10; tail 5-1/2.

Cape Disappointment, near Columbia River. Abundant.

Violet-green Cormorant, Phalacrocorax resplendens, Aud. Orn.
Biog. v. v. p. 148.

GENUS II. PLOTUS, Linn. ANHINGA.

Bill about twice the length of the head, almost straight, being very slightly recurved, rather slender, compressed, tapering to a fine point; upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly declinate, very slightly convex, the ridge convex, gradually narrowed, the sides sloping, the edges sharp, and beyond the middle cut into minute slender-pointed serratures directed backwards, the tip acuminate; lower mandible with the angle very long and narrow, the dorsal line beyond it straight and ascending, the sides sloping slightly outwards, the edges sharp and serrated, the point extremely narrow; gape-line ascending towards the end. No external nostrils in the adult. Head very small, oblong; neck very long and slender; body elongated and slender. Feet very short and stout; tibia feathered to the point; tarsus very short, roundish, reticulated; toes all connected by webs, the first of moderate length, the fourth longest, the first toe and the first phalanges of the rest with transverse series of scales; the rest of their extent scutellate. Claws rather large, very strong, compressed, curved, very acute, the third with parallel slits on the inner edge. A bare space at the base of the upper mandible, including the eye; skin of the throat bare and dilated, as in the Cormorants. Plumage close, blended, silky, the feathers oblong; scapulars elongated, lanceolate, compact, the outer web of the largest undulated. Wings of moderate length and breadth; third quill longest, inner secondaries elongated and resembling the posterior scapulars. Tail very long, narrow, of twelve straight feathers, having very strong shafts, and increasing in breadth to the end. Tongue a slight oblong knob; œsophagus very wide; proventricular glands placed on the right side in the form of a globular sac; stomach roundish, of moderate size, rather thin, with its inner coat soft and smooth; a large roundish pyloric lobe; intestine long and very slender; no cœca, but a small rounded termination to the rectum.

421. 1. Plotus anhinga, Linn. American Anhinga.--Snake-Bird.

Plate CCCXVI. Male and Female.

Upper mandible dusky, lower bright yellow; gular sac orange; tarsus and toes dusky olive, the hind parts and webs yellow; general colour of head, neck, and body, glossy blackish-green, of the scapulars, wings, and tail, glossy bluish-black; long loose feathers on the neck purplish-white; lower part of neck behind marked with very numerous minute oblong spots of white, forming two broad bands, extending backwards, and gradually becoming more elongated, there being one along the centre of each feather, including the scapulars; smaller wing-coverts similarly marked with broader white spots disposed in regular rows; first row of small coverts and secondary coverts white, excepting a portion of the inner web; five elongated secondaries marked with a narrow white band; occupying the inner half of the outer web; tail-feathers tipped with a band of brownish-red fading into white. Female with only a few inconspicuous elongated feathers on the neck; upper part of head and hind neck dull greenish-brown, lighter on the lower part; fore part of neck pale reddish-brown, tinged with grey, lighter on the throat, that colour extending over part of the breast, and terminating abruptly in a transverse band of deep reddish-chestnut; the other parts as in the male, only the fore part of the back is tinged with brown, and its spots are less distinct.

_Male_, 35-3/4, 44. _Female_, 34, 43.

Constant resident from Florida to Georgia; in summer as far east as North Carolina, and up the Mississippi to Natchez. Common.

Plotus Anhinga, Bonap. Syn. p. 411.

Black-bellied Darter, Plotus melanogaster, Wils. Amer. Orn. v.
ix. p. 75.

Black-bellied Darter, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 507.

Anhinga or Snake-Bird, Plotus Anhinga, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv.
p. 136.

GENUS III. TACHYPETES, Vieill. FRIGATE BIRD.

Bill longer than the head, strong, broader than high, unless towards the curved extremity; upper mandible with its dorsal line slightly concave, at the tip decurved, its ridge broad and nearly flat at the base, narrowed and more convex towards the end, the sides separated from the ridge by a narrow groove, convex, the edges sharp, direct, irregularly jagged, with a prominence at the commencement of the curve at the elongated, compressed, tapering, decurved point; lower mandible with the angle extremely long, narrow, the membrane bare and dilatable into a small pouch, the very short dorsal line decurved, the sides erect at the base, convex in the rest of their extent, the edges sharp, much inflected, irregularly jagged, at the tip narrow and decurved. Nostrils basal, linear, inconspicuous. Head of moderate size, oblong; neck of moderate length, stout; body rather slender. Feet very short, stout; tibia very short; tarsus extremely short, feathered; toes all placed in the same plane, and connected by short deeply emarginate webs, which run out narrow along the sides, scutellate above, first small, second shorter than fourth, third much longer. Claws strong, compressed, curved, acute, that of the third toe long, with the inner edge pectinate. Plumage compact, glossy; feathers of the head, neck, and back lanceolate. Wings extremely long, pointed, the first quill longest; the rest rapidly diminishing; secondaries very short, the inner long and tapering. Tail very long, deeply forked, of twelve feathers. Tongue exceedingly small, fleshy, flattened; œsophagus very wide; proventricular glands forming a complete belt; stomach very small, roundish, its muscular coat thin, the inner soft and corrugated; no pyloric lobe; intestine of moderate length; cœca extremely small; cloaca globular.

422. 1. Tachypetes Aquilus, Linn. Frigate-Bird.--Man-of-war Bird.

Plate CCLXXI. Male.

Male with the bill light purplish-blue, white in the middle, the gular sac orange; bare skin around the eye blue; feet light carmine above, orange beneath; general colour of plumage brownish-black, the head, neck, back, breast, and sides, splendent with green and purple, the former predominating on the head, the latter on the back; wings tinged with green; inner secondaries and tail with brown, the shafts of the former black, of the latter brown. Female with a broad white space on the breast, that colour extending forwards along the sides of the neck, and encircling it about the middle; feathers of the back less elongated, and glossy; the dark parts more tinged with brown. Young at first covered with yellowish soft down.

_Adult_, 41, 86.

Resides constantly on and about the Florida Keys, where it breeds in vast numbers on trees. Ranges over the Gulf of Mexico, Bays of Texas, but rarely seen to the eastward of North Carolina.

Tachypetes Aquilus, Bonap. Syn. p. 406.

Frigate Pelican, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 491.

Frigate Pelican. Tachypetes Aquilis, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iii.
p. 495; v. v. p. 684.

GENUS IV. PELECANUS, Linn. PELICAN.

Bill about thrice the length of the head, rather slender, almost straight, depressed; upper mandible linear, depressed, convex at the base, gradually flattened, and a little enlarged to near the end, when it narrows, and terminates in a hooked point; ridge broad and convex at the base, gradually narrowed and flattened beyond the middle, separated by a groove from the sides, erect at the base, sloping toward the edges, edges very acute, with an internal groove; lower mandible with the angle excessively long, extending to the unguis, the sides erect and convex, the edges thin and involute, the tip decurved. Nostrils basal, lateral, linear, concealed by the wrinkles of the skin. Head small, oblong; neck long, stout; body full, rather flattened. Feet short, and very stout; tarsus short, compressed, covered all round with hexagonal scales; toes in the same plane, all connected by webs, first shortest, fourth longer than third. Claws short, strong, curved, that of the third toe pectinate. Feathers of head and neck exceedingly small, slender, downy; of the other parts generally lanceolate and acuminate; wings very long, rather narrow, rounded; primaries much curved. Tail short, broad, rounded, of more than sixteen feathers. An enormous bare, extensile, gular sac; tongue extremely small, papilliform; œsophagus excessively wide; proventricular glands arranged in broad longitudinal series; stomach very small, with its muscular coat thin, its epithelium smooth and soft; a globular pyloric lobe; intestine long and narrow; cœca very small, cylindrical; cloaca globular.

423. 1. Pelecanus Americanus, Aud. American White Pelican.

Plate CCCXI. Male.

Bill with an erect crest on the ridge, and with the gular pouch and feet bright yellow; plumage white; elongated feathers on the occiput and breast pale yellow, with which also the smaller wing-coverts are tinged; alula, primary coverts, primary quills, and outer secondaries, black, with white shafts, inner ten secondaries white; tail of twenty-four feathers. Female generally without the horny crest, otherwise similar.

_Male_, 61-3/4, 103; bill, 13-3/4.

Common during winter from Texas to South Carolina, both along the coast, and about the lakes and rivers adjoining Missouri, Mississippi, and Ohio Rivers. Breeds from California northward, to Lat. 61°. Accidental in the Middle Atlantic Districts.

American White Pelican, Pelecanus americanus, Aud. Orn. Biog.
v. iv. p. 88.

424. 2. Pelecanus fuscus, Linn. Brown Pelican.

Plate CCLI. Male. Plate CCCCXXI. Young.

Bill greyish-white, tinged with brown, and marked with irregular spots of pale carmine; bare space between the bill and the eye deep blue, eyelids pink, gular pouch greenish-black; feet black; hair-like feathers on the fore part of the head light yellow, the rest of the head white; a stripe of the same margining the pouch to the middle of the neck; a short space between these two lines anteriorly, and the whole of the posterior and lateral parts of the neck dark chestnut-brown, the small crest paler; back and wings dusky, each feather with the central part greyish-white; the latter colour prevailing on the scapulars and larger wing-coverts; primaries and coverts brownish-black, secondaries greyish-brown; their outer edges greyish-white; tail light grey, shafts of quills and tail-feathers white, unless toward the end; lower parts brownish-grey; sides of the neck and body with narrow longitudinal white lines; on the fore neck, below the dark chestnut spot a smaller pale yellow mark, behind which the feathers for a short space are blackish-brown. Young in second plumage with the bill greyish-blue, its edges and unguis greyish-yellow; gular pouch dull greyish-blue; bare space around the eye dusky blue; head and neck dark brown, as are the upper parts generally; secondary and many of the smaller coverts margined with pale brown; primaries and their coverts, as well as the tail-coverts, brownish-black, with white shafts; feet and claws dull leaden. Tail of twenty-two feathers.

_Adult_, 52, 80.

Very abundant and constantly resident from Texas along the shores eastward to North Carolina. Breeds on trees and also on the ground; eggs three.

Pelecanus fuscus, Bonap. Syn. p. 401.

Brown Pelican, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 476.

Brown Pelican, Pelecanus fuscus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iii. p.
376; v. v. p. 212.

GENUS V. SULA, Briss. GANNET.

Bill longer than the head, opening beyond the eyes, straight, elongated, conical, moderately compressed; upper mandible, with the dorsal line, straight and declinate, at the end convex and a little decurved; the ridge very broad, convex, with a slight median carnia, and separated on each side from the sides, which are perpendicular, slightly convex, and have an additional narrow-jointed piece below the eye; edges sharp, direct, irregularly serrate with numerous slender cuts directed backwards, tip compressed, a little decurved, rather acute; lower mandible with the angle extremely long and narrow, the dorsal line straight, ascending, the sides erect, convex, the edges sharp and serrated, the tip compressed, acute. No external nostrils. Head large, neck of moderate length, and very thick; body of moderate bulk, rather elongated. Feet short, strong, placed rather far behind; tibiæ concealed; tarsus very short, rounded before, sharp behind, scaly, with three lines of small transversely oblong scutella, which run down the toes, the latter long and slender, all united by membranes having their margins straight; first toe rather small, directed inwards and forwards; middle toe longest, the outer almost equal. Claws of moderate size, slightly arched, that of the third toe pectinate. Plumage generally close, rather compact, on the head and neck blended. Wings very long, narrow, acute; first quill longest. Tail rather long, cuneate, of twelve or fourteen feathers. Gular sac small, with a small median portion bare; tongue extremely small, blunt; œsophagus extremely wide; proventricular glands forming a broad belt partially divided by intervals; stomach extremely small, its muscular coat thin, the inner soft; intestine of moderate length, slender; cœca very small; cloaca globular.

425. 1. Sula Bassana, Linn. Common Gannet.

Plate CCCXXVI. Adult Male, and Young.

Adult with the bill pale bluish-grey, tinged with green towards the base; bare space about the eye, lines on the bill and gular membrane blackish-blue; tarsi, toes, and webs, brownish-black, the scutella light greenish-blue, claws greyish-white; general colour of plumage white; upper part of head and hind neck buff-coloured; primary quills brownish-black, their shafts white toward the base. Young at first covered with very soft white down; when fully fledged, with the bill light greyish-brown, the bare space around the eye pale greyish-blue; feet dusky, the narrow bands of scutella pale greyish-blue; head, neck, and upper parts, chocolate-brown, each feather with a terminal narrow triangular white spot; lower parts greyish-white, spotted with greyish-brown, each feather having a broad terminal margin of that colour; quills and tail-feathers brownish-black.

_Adult_, 40-1/2, 75. _Young_ fledged, 38, 72.

Ranges southward off the coast at all seasons as far as the Gulf of Mexico. Breeds on rocks on the Gulf of St Lawrence, and off the coast of Labrador. Abundant. Migratory.

Sula bassana, Bonap. Syn. p. 408.

Gannet, Sula bassana, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 495.

Common Gannet, Sula bassana, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 222.

426. 2. Sula fusca, Linn. Booby Gannet.

Plate CCVII. Male.

Bill and naked parts at its base bright yellow, the former flesh-coloured toward the end; a dusky spot before the eye; tarsi, toes, and webs pale yellow, claws white; head, neck all round, upper parts in general, and lower surface of wings dusky brown, tinged with grey; breast, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts, pure white. Young when fledged of a greyish-brown colour all over, the breast and abdomen being merely a little lighter than the rest; bill and claws dusky; tarsi and toes with their membranes dull yellow.

_Male_, 31, 49-1/4.

Gulf of Mexico, and as far east as the coast of Georgia. Breeds on the Fortugas Keys, south of Florida. Abundant. Migratory.

Sula fusca, Bonap. Syn. 408.

Booby, Sula fusca, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 500.

Booby Gannet, Sula fusca, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 63.

GENUS VI. PHAETON, Linn. TROPIC BIRD.

Bill as long as the head, stout, very much compressed, slightly curved, tapering, acute, opening to beneath the eye; upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly arched, the ridge narrow, rounded, the sides sloping and slightly convex at the base, nearly erect towards the end, the edges sharp, direct, irregularly broken, the tip acuminate; nasal groove short, near the ridge, lower mandible with the angle long, and extremely narrow, the dorsal line straight and ascending, the sides erect and slightly convex, the tip acuminate. Nostrils basal, linear, very small. Head rather large, ovate; neck short and thick; body rather full. Feet very short; tibia bare for a considerable space; tarsus extremely short, roundish, covered with small round scales; toes rather small, placed in the same plane, and connected by reticulated webs; first very small, third a little longer than fourth, all scutellate above. Claws small, arched, compressed, rather sharp, that of the third toe with a thin entire inner edge. Plumage soft, blended, on the back rather compact. Wings long, acute, the first quill longest. Tail of twelve feathers, tapering, the two middle feathers extremely elongated, narrow, and tapering. This genus appears to be intermediate between Sula and Sterna.

427. 1. Phaeton æthereus, Linn. Common Tropic Bird.

Plate CCLXII. Male and Female.

Bill, tarsi, and hind toes yellow, the rest of the foot black; general colour of plumage pale pink, or white tinged with carmine, the two middle tail-feathers redder; a curved spot before the eye, and a short band behind it, black; a band of the same colour across the wing from the flexure, running narrow along the middle coverts, much enlarged on the inner secondaries and their coverts, and including the extremities of the scapulars; outer webs, shafts, and a portion of the inner webs of the first four primary quills, also black; and a spot of the same on some of the primary coverts; shafts of two middle tail-feathers black, unless toward the end; some of the elongated feathers on the hind part of the sides greyish-black in the centre. Female less tinged with red, and having the tail-feathers less elongated.

_Male_, 29-1/2, 38. _Female_, 26, 34.

Rare on the coast of Florida. Migratory.

Phaeton æthereus, Bonap. Syn. p. 409.

Tropic Bird, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 503.

Tropic Bird, Phaeton æthereus, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 442.

FAMILY XLII. LARINÆ. GULLS.

Bill of moderate length, straight, compressed, acute; upper mandible with the dorsal line generally straight until toward the end, when it is decurved, the ridge convex, the nasal groove rather long, the edges sharp, direct, overlapping, the tip rather acute and declinate; lower mandible with the angle long and very narrow, the dorsal line ascending and nearly straight, with an angular prominence at its commencement. Nostrils submedial or basal, oblong. Head of moderate size, ovate; neck of moderate length; body rather stout. Legs short or of moderate length; tibia bare at its lower part; tarsus anteriorly scutellate; toes four, the first very small, free, the third longest; anterior toes connected by webs. Claws small, arched, compressed, rather acute. Plumage full, soft, blended, somewhat compact on the back and wings, the latter long and pointed; tail of twelve feathers, even, rounded, or emarginate. Tongue long, slender, pointed; œsophagus very wide; stomach rather small, moderately muscular, with a dense, longitudinally rugous epithelium; intestine of moderate length and width; cœca small; cloaca globular. Trachea simple, with a single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles. Nest on the ground, rudely constructed. Eggs few, not exceeding four, spotted. Young covered with down.

GENUS I. RHYNCHOPS, Linn. SKIMMER.

Bill longer than the head, nearly straight, tetragonal at the base, suddenly extremely compressed and continuing so to the end; upper mandible much shorter than the lower, its ridge sharp, the sides erect but a little convex, the edges approximated so as to leave merely a very narrow groove between them, the tip a little rounded, when viewed laterally; nasal groove rather short, near the margin; lower mandible with the angle extremely short, the dorsal line straight or slightly decurved, the sides erect, obliquely grooved, the edges united into a very thin blade, which fits into the narrow groove of the upper mandible, the tip rounded or abrupt, when viewed laterally. Nostrils linear-oblong. Head rather large, oblong, considerably elevated in front; neck rather short, thick; body short, ovate. Feet short, moderately stout; tibia bare below, with narrow transverse scutella before and behind; tarsus short, anteriorly covered with broad scutella; toes very small, the first extremely short and free, unless at the base; middle toe slightly longer than outer; anterior toes united by deeply emarginate webs. Claws long, compressed, slightly arched, rather obtuse. Plumage moderately full, soft, and blended; wings extremely long, and very narrow; primary quills excessively long, the first longest; secondaries short. Tail of moderate length, deeply forked, of twelve feathers. Tongue short, triangular, tapering; œsophagus wide; stomach rather small, oblong, muscular, the cuticular lining dense, with nine broad longitudinal rugæ; intestine rather long, narrow; cœca very small; cloaca large, globular, the digestive organs are precisely similar to those of the Terns and smaller Gulls.

428. 1. Rhynchops nigra, Linn. Black Skimmer.

Plate CCCXXIII. Male

Bill rich carmine in its basal half, the rest black; feet carmine; upper plumage deep brownish-black; secondary quills and four or five of the primaries tipped with white, the latter on the inner web chiefly; tail-feathers black, broadly margined on both sides with white, the outer more extensively; the middle tail-coverts black, the lateral black on the inner, and white on the outer web; a broad band of white over the forehead, extending to the fore part of the eye; cheeks and throat of the same colour; the rest of the neck, and lower parts in spring and autumn of a delicate cream-colour; axillary feathers, lower wing-coverts, and a large portion of the secondary quills, white, the coverts along the edge of the wing black. Female smaller, similar to the male, but with the tail-feathers white, excepting a longitudinal band including the shaft. After the first autumnal moult, there is on the hind part of the neck a broad band of white mottled with greyish-black; the lower parts pure white, the upper of a duller black; bill and feet less richly coloured.

_Male_, 20, 48. _Female_, 16-3/4, 44-1/2.

During winter, in vast multitudes on the coast of Florida. In summer dispersed in large flocks from Texas to New Jersey, breeding on sand beaches or islands. In the evenings and at night ascends streams sometimes to the distance of one hundred miles.

Black Skimmer or Shear-water, Rhynchops nigra, Wils. Amer.
Orn. v. vii. p. 85.

Rhincops nigra, Bonap. Syn. p. 352.

Black Skimmer, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 264.

Black Skimmer or Razor-billed Shear-water, Rhynchops nigra,
Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 203.

GENUS II. STERNA, Linn. TERN.

Bill longer than the head, rather stout or slender, nearly straight, compressed, very acute; upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly arched, the ridge rather broad and convex at the base, gradually narrowed toward the end, sides convex, edges sharp and direct, tip acute; nasal groove short; lower mandible with the angle very narrow, acute, extending to the middle, the dorsal line straight, the sides slightly convex, nearly erect, the sharp edges inflected, the tips very acute. Nostrils basal, lateral, linear, direct. Head rather large, oblong; neck of moderate length and thick; body slender. Feet short, moderately stout; tibia bare for a considerable space; tarsus short, roundish, covered all round with small scales; first toe very small, third longest, fourth a little shorter; anterior toes connected by emarginate webs. Claws slightly curved, compressed, acute. Plumage soft, close, blended, rather compact on the back and wings. Wings extremely long, narrow, and pointed, the first quill longest, the rest rapidly graduated. Tail long, generally forked, of twelve feathers. Tongue very slender, tapering, with the point slit; œsophagus extremely wide; proventricular belt complete; stomach rather small, moderately muscular, with the epithelium dense and longitudinally rugous; intestine of moderate length, rather narrow; cœca small.

429. 1. Sterna Cayana, Lath. Cayenne Tern.

Plate CCLXXIII. Male.

Bill longer than the head, stout; wings longer than the tail, which is moderately forked; bill carmine; feet black; upper part of the head and occiput greenish-black; back and wings light greyish-blue; primary quills bluish-grey on their outer webs, darker on the outer part of the inner, their inner part white, as are the ends and inner webs of the secondaries; upper tail-coverts and tail greyish-white; all the other parts pure white.

_Male_, 19, 44.

From Texas, in spring, to the Floridas, where it breeds on the Tortugas. Labrador, but not observed in the intermediate parts of the Atlantic coast. Abundant. Migratory.

Sterna cayana, Bonap. Syn. v. ii. p. 353.

Cayenne Tern, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 208.

Cayenne Tern, Sterna cayana, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 505;
v. v. p. 639.

430. 2. Sterna Anglica, Montagu. Gull-billed Tern.--Marsh Tern.

Plate CCCCX. Male.

Bill about the length of the head, stout; wings longer than the tail, which is moderately forked; bill and feet black; upper part of the head and occiput greenish-black; sides of the head, fore neck, and all the lower parts, white; upper parts pale greyish-blue, edges of the wings whitish; primaries hoary on the outer web, deep grey on the inner, their shafts and those of the tail-feathers white; the tail of a paler tint than the back, and the outer feather nearly white.

_Male_, 14, 34.

Cosmopolite. In America, breeds from the mouth of the Mississippi to Connecticut. Not abundant. Migratory.

Marsh Tern, Sterna aranea, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 143.

Sterna aranea, Bonap. Syn. p. 354.

Marsh Tern, Sterna anglica, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 269.

Marsh or Gull-billed Tern, Sterna anglica, Aud. Orn. Biog. v.
v. p. 127.

431. 3. Sterna Cantiaca, Gmel. Sandwich Tern.

Plate CCLXXIX. Adult.

Bill considerably longer than the head, rather slender, black, with the tips yellow; inside of mouth deep blue; feet black; wings longer than the tail, which is deeply forked; upper part of head and hind neck bluish-black; sides of head, neck all round, and the rest of the lower parts white, the sides and breast tinged with pink; fore part of back, scapulars, and upper surface of wings pale greyish-blue; the tips and greater part of the inner webs of the scapulars and quills white, as are the rump and tail; the four outer quills blackish, but covered with light grey down on the outer webs, and over a considerable extent of the inner, their shafts white. Young, after the first moult, of a light greyish-blue on the upper parts, the feathers tipped and banded in an undulating manner with brownish-black; the upper part of the head and hind neck brownish-black mottled with white; quills as in the adult; tail grey, with irregular blackish markings towards the tips of the feathers; lower parts of a much lighter pale grey; bill and feet black.

_Adult_, 15-3/4, 33-3/4.

From Texas, during spring and summer, to the Floridas, where it breeds in great numbers. Never observed in any other part of the coast of America. Migratory.

Sandwich Tern. Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 276.

Sandwich Tern, Sterna cantiaca, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iii. p.
531.

432. 4. Sterna fuliginosa, Lath. Sooty Tern.

Plate CCXXXV.

Bill slightly longer than the head, rather slender, and with the feet black; tail very deeply forked, much longer than the wings; forehead white; lores, upper part of head, hind neck, and all the upper parts deep black, tinged with brown, on the head glossed with blue; edges of wings and lateral tail-feathers white, the latter with the inner web toward the end dusky; lower parts and sides of head and neck pure white. Young with the lower parts and forehead white, the upper parts greyish-brown, the feathers edged with brownish-white, the primary quills greyish-black.

_Male_, 16-1/4, 34-3/4.

From Texas to the Floridas, in spring. Breeds in immense multitudes on the Tortugas. Migratory.

Sterna fuliginosa, Bonap. Syn. p. 355.

Sooty Tern, Sterna fuliginosa, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. viii. p.
145.

Sooty Tern, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 284.

Sooty Tern, Sterna fuliginosa, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 263;
v. v. p. 641.

433. 5. Sterna Hirundo, Linn. Common Tern.

Plate CCCIX. Male.

Bill about the same length as the head, rather slender, bright coral-red, towards the end black, the tip light yellow; feet coral-red, lighter than the bill; wings slightly shorter than the tail, which is very deeply forked; upper part of head and hind neck half-way down, deep bluish-black, anteriorly tinged with brown; sides of head, fore neck, and all the lower parts white, with a slight tinge of greyish-blue on the breast; back, scapulars, and wings light greyish-blue; edges of wings, rump, and upper tail-coverts white, slightly tinged with grey; first primary with the outer web deep black, the shaft white, on the inner web a greyish-black band running along the shaft, narrow at the base, and widening, so as to occupy the whole breadth of the web for an inch at the end, where it is hoary; the next five with the outer web, and a varying portion of the inner in nearly their whole length hoary, but with a dusky shade, becoming more apparent at the end; the rest of the quills like the back, but margined and tipped with white; tail-feathers with the inner webs white, the outer of the colour of the back, paler on the middle feathers, gradually deepening outwards, and on the outer feathers dark grey. Young, in first plumage, with the bill dull greenish-black, its tip yellowish, feet greenish-yellow; upper parts chiefly light brown. In winter, the bill black, with the base pale orange, the tip yellowish, the feet orange-yellow; the colour of the plumage as in the adult, the forehead white, the rest of the head dusky, the upper parts having the feathers slightly margined with lighter.

_Male_, 16, 31-1/2.

Breeds from Galveston Islands along the shores of the Atlantic to Labrador, and as far north as Lat. 57°. Returns southward in autumn, passing beyond the Texas. Extremely abundant.

Great Tern, Sterna Hirundo, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. viii. p. 76.

Sterna Hirundo, Bonap. Syn. p. 354.

Sterna Hirundo, Great Tern, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v.
ii. p. 412.

Great or Common Tern, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 271.

Common Tern, Sterna Hirundo, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 74.

434. 6. Sterna Havellii, Aud. Havell's Tern.

Plate CCCCIX. Fig. 1. Adult.

Bill about the length of the head, rather stout; wings a little shorter than the tail, which is deeply forked. In winter, the bill black, towards the base brown, and a small portion of the tip yellowish; feet orange; a broad band of black surrounding the eye, and extending toward the nape; fore part of head, cheeks, and all the lower parts pure white; hind head and nape dusky grey, mixed with white; the rest of the upper parts light greyish-blue, excepting the rump, which is white; the primary coverts and quills, as well as the tail-feathers and their coverts, hoary, with the shafts white, but five of the quills dusky on the outer web, on the inner along the shaft, and on the inner margin toward the end. Young, in winter, with the bill somewhat shorter, and more tinged with brown, the lower parts, rump, outer web of lateral tail-feathers, and sides of neck, white; wings as in the adult, but the primaries internally margined with white, and the secondaries tipped with the same; upper part of the head, and the rest of the upper parts, light yellowish-brown, intermixed with greyish-blue; a band of black on the sides of the head, as in the adult.

_Adult_, 15-1/2, wing, 10-8/12.

From Texas to South Carolina. Common. Migratory.

Havell's Tern, Sterna Havelli, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 122.

435. 7. Sterna Trudeaui, Aud. Trudeau's Tern.

Plate CCCCIX. Fig. 2. Adult.

Bill about the length of the head, rather slender; wings a little longer than the tail, which is deeply forked. Bill black, with part of the base of the lower mandible, the edges of both, and their tips to the length of five-twelfths of an inch, yellow; feet orange, claws brown, toward the end yellow; a band of blackish-grey surrounding the eye, and extending toward the nape; fore part of head, cheeks, and upper part of throat, white; the rest of the upper and lower parts light greyish-blue, excepting the axillar feathers, lower wing-coverts, and rump, which are white; tail-coverts and tail greyish-white; primary coverts and quills hoary, but the outer five dusky grey on the inner web, toward the margin, and less so along the shaft, and on the outer web; the shafts of all the quills and tail-feathers white, as are the inner edges of the primaries and tips of the secondaries, the inner excepted. This species has the bill somewhat longer and more slender than that of Havell's Tern, and differently coloured; the tarsus longer, and the lower parts of the body of the same tint as the upper, whereas that species is white beneath.

_Adult_, 16; wing, 10-10/12.

Great Egg Harbour and Long Island. Rare. Migratory.

Trudeau's Tern, Sterna Trudeaui, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 125.

436. 8. Sterna arctica, Temm. Arctic Tern.

Plate CCL. Male.

Bill about the same length as the head, slender, and with the mouth and feet vermilion, tinged with carmine; wings about two inches shorter than the tail, which is very deeply forked; upper part of head and occiput greenish-black; sides of head and chin white; upper parts pale greyish-blue, the rump bluish-white, the tail and its coverts white, excepting the outer webs of the two lateral feathers, which are dusky grey; primaries dusky towards the ends, the two outer with their outer webs blackish, all with the greater part of the inner web white, secondaries tipped with white; neck, breast, and sides, pale greyish-blue, like the upper parts, but lighter; abdomen, lower tail-coverts, and lower surfaces of wings and tail, white.

_Male_, 15-1/2, 32.

Along the coast of the Atlantic in autumn and winter, sometimes as far as New Jersey. Common in Maine, Nova Scotia, and Labrador, where it breeds in multitudes, as well as on the Magdalene Islands, and on the shores of the Arctic Seas. Migratory.

Sterna arctica, Bonap. Syn. p. 354.

Sterna arctica, Arctic Tern, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v.
ii. p. 414.

Arctic Tern, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 275.

Arctic Tern, Sterna arctica, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 366.

437. 9. Sterna Dougallii, Mont. Roseate Tern.

Plate CCXL. Male.

Bill about the same length as the head, slender, brownish-black, deep orange at the base; feet vermilion; wings about three inches shorter than the tail, which is very deeply forked; upper part of the head and occiput bluish-black; hind neck white; the rest of the upper parts pale bluish-grey, the tail lighter; edges of wings, tips and inner edges of quills, and their shafts, white; first quill black on the outer web and part of the inner, the next two similarly marked, but with the black shaded over with pale grey, the loose barbules being of that colour, the other primaries becoming gradually lighter; lower parts of a beautiful roseate hue, soon fading after death; under surface of wings and tail white.

_Male_, 14-10/12, 30.

Florida Keys, where it is abundant, and breeds. Migratory.

Sterna Dougallii, Mont. Temm.

Roseate Tern, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 278.

Roseate Tern, Sterna Dougallii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iii. p.
296.

438. 10. Sterna nigra, Linn. Black Tern.

Plate CCLXXX. Adult and Young.

Bill about the same length as the head, rather slender, brownish-black; feet reddish-brown; wings two inches longer than the tail, which is merely emarginate; head, neck, breast, sides, and abdomen, greyish-black; lower tail-coverts white, lower wing-coverts bluish-grey; upper parts dark bluish-grey, the outer web of the first quill greyish-black; shafts of quills and tail-feathers white. Young in second plumage with the upper parts greyish-blue, the feathers of the fore part of the back, and especially the scapulars, brown towards the end; the upper and hind part of the head greyish-black, of which there is a darker mark behind and another before the eye; forehead greyish-white, as are the sides of the head, the fore neck, breast, and abdomen; sides dusky grey; lower wing-coverts greyish-white.

_Adult_, 9, 24. _Young_, in autumn, 7-3/4; wing, 9-8/12.

Arrives in Texas from the south early in spring, proceeds along the coast to the Mississippi, then ascends that river and its tributaries, breeding around ponds, or along the streams; and even advances to the Fur Countries, where it also breeds. Abundant. Migratory. Occasionally along the coasts of the Middle Atlantic Districts.

Sterna nigra, Bonap. Syn. p. 355.

Sterna nigra, Black Tern, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer. v. ii.
p. 415.

Black Tern or Stern, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 282.

Black Tern, Sterna nigra, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 593; v.
v. p. 642.

439. 11. Sterna minuta, Linn. Least Tern.

Plate CCCXIX. Adult and Young.

Bill about the length of the head, slender, yellowish-orange, with the tips black, but the extreme points horn-colour; feet light orange-red; wings an inch or more longer than the tail, which is deeply forked; on the forehead a triangular white patch, extending to over the middle of the eye; upper part of head and nape, and loral space, deep black; sides of head, fore neck, and lower parts pure white; back and wings very pale bluish-grey; first two quills with the outer web greyish-black, and rather less than half of their inner web of the same colour, the rest white, extending to about half an inch from their extremities; tail white in summer, of a paler tint than the back at other times. Young, when fledged, with the bill greenish-black, all the lower parts dull greyish-white, as are the upper, including the tail, the hind part of the head streaked with dusky, on the back and rump the feathers with a curved marginal band of greyish-brown; primary quills greyish-brown, the outer two darker; tail even, each feather narrowly margined with greyish-white.

_Adult_, 8-3/4, 18-3/4.

Breeds from Galveston along the shores to Labrador. Not mentioned as found in the Fur Countries. Returns southward, and passes beyond Texas in autumn. Extremely abundant at times on the Great Lakes, as well as the Ohio and Mississippi.

Least Tern, Sterna minuta, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 80.

Sterna minuta, Bonap. Syn. p. 355.

Silvery Tern, Sterna argentea, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 280.

Least Tern, Sterna minuta, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p. 175.

* Tail graduated.

440. 12. Sterna stolida, Linn. Noddy Tern.

Plate CCLXXV. Male.

Bill a little longer than the head, rather slender, a little decurved, black; tail cuneate; general colour of plumage sooty-brown; primaries and tail-feathers brownish-black; upper part of head greyish-white; a black spot anterior to and over the eye.

_Male_, 16-4/12, 32.

Abundant on the Gulf of Mexico during the whole year. Breeds in vast multitudes on the Tortugas Keys.

Sterna stolida, Bonap. Syn. p. 356.

Noddy, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 285.

Noddy Tern, Sterna stolida, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iii. p. 516; v.
v. p. 642.

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 submedial, 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 blunt. Plumage close, soft, blended, on the back and wings rather compact. Wings very long, pointed; first and second quills longest; secondaries broad, the inner more elongated. Tail of moderate length, generally even, rarely rounded or emarginate, of twelve feathers. In those which have the head white in summer, it is streaked with dusky in winter; and those which are hooded in summer, have the head white and slightly streaked in winter.

* Tail emarginate.

441. 1. Larus Sabini, Sabine. Fork-tailed Gull.

Plate CCLXXXV. Fig. 1, Male.

Tail of moderate length, forked; bill of moderate length, rather slender, black, with the terminal third yellow; feet black; head and upper part of neck all round blackish-grey, that colour terminated by a collar of pure black; lower neck all round, the whole lower surface, upper tail-coverts, and tail, pure white; back and wings bluish-grey, excepting a large terminal portion of the secondaries, and the tips of the primaries, which are white, the primaries themselves being black, with their shafts brownish-black.

_Male_, 13, 33.

Accidental as far south in winter, as New York. Rather common along the coast of Nova Scotia. Breeds in Newfoundland, and along the coasts of the Arctic Seas. Seen on the banks of Newfoundland in great numbers.

Larus Sabini, Fork-tailed Gull, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. Amer.
v. ii. p. 428.

Fork-tailed Gull, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 295.

Forked-tailed Gull, Larus Sabini, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iii. p.
561.

** Tail cuneate.

442. 2. Larus Rossii, Richardson. Ross's Gull.

Not figured.

Tail much rounded, the middle feathers being an inch longer than the lateral; bill of moderate length, slender, black; feet vermilion; head, neck, all round, lower parts, rump and tail, white, the lower parts tinged with pink, which soon fades; a narrow collar of black; fore part of back, scapulars, and both surfaces of wings light greyish-blue; tips of scapulars and secondaries white.

_Adult_, 14; wing 10-1/2.

Arctic Seas.

Larus Rossii, Cuneate-tailed Gull, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor.
Amer. v. ii. p. 427.

Ross's Gull, Larus Rossii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. v. p. 324.

*** Tail even.

443. 3. Larus Bonapartii, Richardson. Bonaparte's Gull.

Plate CCCXXIV.

Bill slender, black; feet orange, tinged with vermilion; head and upper part of neck all round greyish-black, that colour extending half an inch lower on the throat than on the occiput; a white band divided by a narrow black line margining the eye behind; lower part of neck all round, anterior edge of wing, alular, smaller coverts on the carpal margin, four outer primary coverts, shaft and inner web of outer primary, both webs of second, inner webs of third and fourth, rump, tail, and all the lower parts, white; back, scapulars, and wings light greyish-blue; outer web of first quill, excepting a small portion toward the end, its tips to the length of half an inch, black, as are the ends of the next six, which however have a small tip of white, the black on some of them being an inch long, and running along the inner edge to a considerable extent. Female somewhat smaller, similar to the male, but with the head and upper part of the neck umber-brown. Young in second plumage with the bill greyish-black, the feet flesh-coloured; head and neck greyish-white; a small patch of black behind the eye; upper parts dull bluish-grey, many of the wing-coverts greyish-brown, edged with paler; quills as in the adult; rump and tail white, the latter with a broad band of black at the end, the tips narrowly edged with whitish.

_Adult_, 14-1/8, 32-1/4.

Extremely abundant in winter, on the coast of Florida. Equally plentiful in spring, along the coasts of the Middle and Eastern Districts, especially in the Chesapeake. Breeds from the Bay of Fundy to high latitudes. Not uncommon in autumn, on the Great Lakes, and the Ohio and Mississippi.

Brown-masked Gull, Larus capistratus, Bonap. Amer. Orn. v. iv.
Female.

Larus capistratus, Bonap. Syn. p. 358.

Larus Bonapartii, Bonapartian Gull, Swains. & Rich. F. Bor.
Amer. v. ii. p. 425.

Bonapartian Gull, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 294.

Bonapartian Gull, Larus Bonapartii, Aud. Orn. Biog. v. iv. p.
212.

444. 4. Larus Atricilla, Linn. Black-headed Gull.--Laughing Gull.

Plate CCCXIV. Male and Young.

Bill moderately stout, and with the feet, margin of eyelids, and inside of mouth deep carmine; wings extending three inches beyond the tail, which is even; head and upper 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 lower surface, rump and tail white, but the fore part of the neck and the breast down to the legs, of a beautiful light rosy tint; back and wings greyish-blue, with a slight tinge of purple, excepting a large terminal portion of the secondaries, and the tips of the primaries, which are white; first primary black, with a tinge of grey on the inner web at the base; second and third similar, with the grey more extended; the fourth with it extending over two-thirds, the fifth black only for an inch and a half, on the sixth the black reduced to two spots near the end; the other parts and the remaining primaries of the same general colour as the back. Female similar, but considerably smaller. In winter, the head white, the feathers on its upper part and the nape more or less brownish-grey in their concealed part, that colour appearing in slight patches here and there, and especially along the posterior margin of the part that is coloured in summer, as well as on a small space before the eye; in other respects the plumage as in summer, but without the rosy tint. Young, when fledged, with the bill, feet, inside of mouth, and edges of eyelids olivaceous brown; upper parts brownish-grey, the feathers edged with paler; hind part of back light bluish-grey; upper tail-coverts nearly white; tail pale greyish-blue, with a broad band of brownish-black at the end, the extreme tips narrowly edged with white, the outer margin of the lateral feathers of the same colour; the first four primaries destitute of white at the tip; a small patch before the eye, two slight bands on the eyelids, and the throat, greyish-white; lower part of neck brownish-grey; the rest of the lower parts greyish-white, the sides darker, the axillars ash-grey, lower surface of wing dusky grey.

_Adult_, 17, 40-3/4.

Most abundant from Texas to Massachusetts, breeding along the coast. Up the Mississippi to New Orleans. Those which in spring remove to the eastward of the Floridas return early in autumn.

Black-headed Gull, Larus ridibundus, Wils. Amer. Orn. v. ix.
p. 89.

Larus atricilla, Bonap. Syn. p. 359.

Black-headed Gull, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 291.

Black-headed or Laughing Gull, Larus atricilla, Aud. Orn.
Biog. v. iv. p. 118.