File:The birds of Europe (1837) (14747543961).jpg

Identifier: birdsEuropeVGoul (find matches)
Title: The birds of Europe
Year: 1837 (1830s)
Authors: Gould, John, 1804-1881
Subjects: Pictorial works Birds
Publisher: London, Printed by R. and J.E. Taylor, pub. by the author
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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Text Appearing Before Image:
he difference is of sufficient importanceto justify a specific distinction, we are unable satisfactorily to decide. M. Temminck regards it, we believe,as a true species, and as such we publish it, leaving the question still open for further investigation : at allevents it will not be destitute of interest to the scientific naturalist. It may perhaps be said that as the Gan-nets change from almost black to white in passing from youth to maturity, this bird exhibits an intermediatestate of plumage, the original black colouring still remaining on the tail : there can be no doubt, however, thatthe bird was fully adult, and we may remark that the first change that occurs in the plumage of the youngshows a disposition in all parts to approach towards the colouring of the adults: it is therefore unlikely thatthe tail should be even of a deeper black than that of the young Gannet, while the rest of the plumage is thatof complete maturity. The figure is about three fourths of the natural size.
Text Appearing After Image:
E^ ts <Q CO Genus STERNA, Linn. Gen. Char. Bill as long or longer than the head, nearly straight, compressed, drawn to afine point, with both mandibles of equal length, and the upper slightly convex; tomiarather intracted and sharp-edged; lower mandible having a prominent angle near itsmiddle part. Nostrils basal, lateral, linear, oblong, pervious. Wings very long, acumi-nate, the first quill-feather the longest. Tail more or less forked. Legs having the tibiaenaked for a short space above the tarsal joint. Tarsi short. Feet of four toes, threebefore, one behind; the three former united by a membrane more or less scalloped, thehind toe small and free. Claws arched and sharp. CASPIAN TERN. Sterna Caspia, Pall.LHirondelle de Mer Tschegrava. This large and powerful species is dispersed over the northern shores of Africa, the eastern portion of Asia,and all the temperate parts of Europe, where it appears to evince a partiality to inland seas rather than tothe wide ocean, and hence we f

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