present species. Thè plate shows the hind toe somewhat developed, but not more so than would be the case with that of the
Academy’s specimen when alive. The plate, therefore, appears to represent the present bird, and I cannot agree with my friend Dr.
Coub8, that the description, which is so limited and unsatisfactory, should "certainly have precedence” over the illustration. P allas’
figure represents the present bird in every respect, save perhaps that the féet are too dark; yet those of the specimen may have
become darker after drying, as those of the one in the Academy are certainly not a “light straw yellow.”
I regret that my investigations in this matter should lead to a different result from that of Dr. Coues, in his able review
of the Laridaj ; and unwilling though I may be ,to reopen any vexed question, yet, being convinced that Pallas’ figure represents a bird
identical with the R. BracAyrkynchus of Gould,—i f the law of priority has any force,—I am obliged to reduce the latter’s appellation
to a synonym, and replace that o f P allas to what I deem its rightful position.
The mantle is dark plumbeous gray, extending nearly to the tips of the secondaries and tertials, which are white. First primary
has the shaft and outer web black; inner, gray at the base, narrowing as it proceeds, until, within two and a half inches o f the tip,
it occupies not more than half the width of the web, and terminates. The second has the outer web gray to within four and the inner
also gray to within three inches o f the tip. The third is like the second, save that the gray extends to within two inches of the tip,
which has a small gray, apical spot. In the fourth the gray extends still farther, and the apical spot is larger. The fifth is tipped with
.white, this separated from the gray by a bar o f black. Sixth white at tip, with a subapical spot of black on one or both webs. Rest
like the last, but without any black. Bill light yellow. Tarsi and feet yellowish.
The figure is the natural size.
E g i t t t 'M i t i n -M J L I