THE GREAT BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ichthyaëtus, Pallas
Reading edition
This species is found in Egypt, the Levant, the Red Sea, and Persian Gulf, and only one example is known to have occurred on our shores.
363
The large size and black head are sufficient to distinguish this species when adult; young birds may be recognised by the clear-cut dark band across the tail and by the white margins to the outer webs of the secondaries. Length of male 26 in.; wing 19 in. The female is much smaller.