BLACK-HEADED GULL.
LARUS RIDIBUNDUS, Linn.
Larus ridibundus, Linn. S. N. i. p. 225 (1766) ; Naum. x.
p. 2 6 1 ; Hewitson, ii. p. 4 9 1 ; Yarr. ed. 4, iii. p. 594;
Dresser, viii. p. 357.
Gavia ridibunda, Macg. v. p. 593.
Gavia capistrata, Macg. v. p. 605.
Goéland rieur, French ; LacJtmôve, German ; Gavina,
Gaviota pequeña, Spanish.
I must commence my remarks upon this species by
expressing my compunction for adopting for it the
commonly applied but obvious misnomer of "Black-headed,"
for at no season of the year has this Gull any
black about the head ; whilst the term is very correctly
applied to another well-known European species, Larus
mclanoccphalus. I can only say that in thus miscalling
the present bird my sole excuse is general custom ; and
I would ask my brother ornithologists why we should
not henceforth agree to call it Brown-headed Gull ; at all
events this designation would serve to distinguish our
bird from any other British Gull. In most parts of our
Islands the name " Common " would apply at least as
well to this Gull as to the species that is known by that