| 559. Lestris Catarractes | Vol. VII. Pl. 21. |
Although I have figured and described this Australian bird as identical with the Skua Gull of Europe, it is likely that hereafter reasons may be found for separating them.
In a letter just arrived from Mr. J. M’Gillivray, dated on board H.M.S. Rattlesnake, Feb. 6, 1848, that gentleman says, “The Lestris Catarractes was noticed on various occasions in different parts of the South Indian Ocean; while off the Cape of Good Hope a solitary individual and subsequently two in company were seen. I have observed it following and hovering over a bait towing astern, and once saw it chase a Cape Petrel and force it to alight on the water. This bird seldom remained with us for more than half an hour at a time, during which it made a few circular flights about the ship.”
Subfamily STERNINÆ, Bonap.
The members of this family inhabiting Australia and Europe are nearly equal in number, and in each country examples of the same forms are found to exist; the Australian fauna has also a Gygis and an Onychoprion neither of which inhabit the European seas, and four species of Anoüs, of which only one frequents the northern hemisphere.
Genus Sylochelidon, Brehm.
| 560. Sylochelidon strenuus | Vol. VII. Pl. 22. |
A representative of the S. Caspius of Europe.
Genus Thalasseus, Boie.
The members of this genus, the type of which is the T. Cantiacus of the British Islands, are widely dispersed over most parts of the Old World, and three distinct species inhabit Australia.