[196]. Larus ridibundus: The Laughing Gull. (F. 1490), (J. 891), (IV.)
A white bird with grey shoulders and some black in the wings. In summer the head and neck become brown and in winter traces of this usually remain. The bill and legs are red.
A winter visitor to India.
[197]. Larus brunneicephalus: The Brown-headed Gull. (F. 1491), (J. 980), (+IV.)
This bird is very like the last at all seasons, so that it is scarcely possible to distinguish them on the wing.
[198]. Larus affinis: The Dark-backed Herring-Gull. (F. 1494), (J. 978), (V.)
This bird is distinguished from Nos. [196] and [197] by the fact that its wings and shoulders are slate-grey instead of pale grey, and its legs are yellow. It is a much larger bird than the above two species.
It is said to be very common at Karachi. It is found on other parts of the West Coast, but apparently not on the East Coast.
[199]. Larus cachinans: The Yellow-legged Herring-Gull. (F. 1495), (V.)
This is very like No. [198], except that its shoulders are of a lighter shade of grey. It has yellow legs.