The Mediterranean Black-Headed Gull — Larus Melanocephalus, Natterer
This southern species has only once been taken on our shores, though, as it visits the west of France not uncommonly, there is no great improbability in its occurrence here. Its true habitat is the Mediterranean basin.
It is slightly smaller than the preceding species, and the head is jet black, not brown. The beak is also stouter. In young birds the first five primaries are chiefly dark brown, whereas in our species the shafts and contiguous portion of the inner webs are white. Length 15·5 in.; wing 11·75 in.