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Show 122 Mil. .1. E. HARTING ON ARCTIC BIRDS. [Feb. 7, Alca cirrhata, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i. p. 553 ; Pallas, Spic. Zool. v. p. 7. Mormon cirrhatus, Bon. Syn. 429 ; Baird, Birds N. Amer. p. 902. Two from the same source as the last mentioned. The Tufted Puffin is one of the most abundant species of this family on the coasts of Western and North-western America. It is easily recognized by the pendent crest-like feathers on each side of the head, and seems to form a connecting-link between Mormon and Phaleris. Cases 35 & 36. IVORY GULL. Larus eburneus, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i. p. 596 ; Rich. & Swains. Faun. Bor.-Amer. ii. p. 419. Distinguishable in the adult state by its entirely white plumage, yellow bill, and black legs. The two specimens here exhibited were taken in 1851, in Assistance Harbour, Barrow Straits, 74^° N. lat., 74]° W . long., by Mr. Abernethy, ice-master to H.M.S. ' Felix.' Case 37. WESTERN GULL. Larus occidentalis, Audubon, Orn. Biog. v. p. 320; Baird, Birds N. Amer. p. 845. One, killed on Choris Peninsula, Behring's Straits, in 1849, by Captain Moore, H.M.S. ' Plover.' This species, of which the habitat is the north-west coast of America, is equal in size to Larus argentatus, but has a shorter wing, and is distinguishable by its much darker mantle. Case 38. GLAUCOUS GULL. Larus glaucus, Briinnich, Orn. Bor. p. 44 ; Rich. & Swains. Faun. Bor.-Amer. ii. p. 416 ; Baird, Birds N. Amer. p. 842. Shot by Sir Leopold M'Clintock on Melville Island. Individuals of this arctic species vary considerably in size. The young have the upper portion of the plumage yellowish white, mottled with pale brown; the underparts grey; the tail white, irregularly spotted with pale brown ; bill yellow with tip horn-colour. It is in this plumage usually that we find the examples which are procured in Great Britain. Case 39. SABINE'S GULL. Larus sabinii, Sabine, Trans. Linn. Soc. xii. p. 520, pl. 29 (1818) ; Greenl. Birds, p. 551. no. 23 ; Richardson, Append. Parry's Second Voy. p. 360; Richards. & Swains. Faun. Bor.-Amer. p. 428. Specimens of this bird in summer plumage are very rare in collections. The species was discovered by Capt. Sabine at its breeding- station on some low rocky islands off the coast of Greenland. He subsequently procured a pair at Spitzbergen. It was found in Prince Regent's Inlet during Sir Edward Parry's first voyage ; and during his second voyage se feral specimens were obtained on Melville Peninsula. |
