On 18 February 1979, at Moss Landing, Monterey Co., California, I observed for 5 minutes and photographed (Figure 1) a predominately melanistic gull that had pure white feathering scattered over the body and wings. I identified the bird as a sub-adult Mew Gull (Larus canus) on the basis of size, head and bill shape, and voice. Compared to nearby California Gulls (L. californicus), it was distinctly smaller and had a more rounded forehead and smaller bill. The high pitched call characteristic of this species was heard two or three times. The leg color was pink, which is typical of Mew Gulls in their first year. I did not note the bill color.