NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 29 



of the terns were in the sand. I did not find a gull's nest with more 

 than three eggs, and a very few with two; whereas, several hollows 

 were found with as many as eighteen terns' eggs in them, which had 

 rolled together." Mr. Frazar observed a few colonies of this species 

 breeding in Labrador, nesting like other gulls, and the nests never 

 contained more than three eggs. These have the usual variations 

 in color to be found in eggs of the terns bluish-white to dark brown, 

 spotted and blotched with brown and lilac of various shades. Sizes 

 from 2.75 to 2.80 long by 1.60 to 1.75 broad. 



55. Larus brachyrhynclms RICH. [670.] 



Short-billed Gull. 



Hab. Arctic America and Pacific coast to Southern California. 



In the breeding season the Short-billed Gull occurs in the north- 

 ern regions of North America. It has been found nesting on the 

 ground in the small lakes in the vicinity of Fort Anderson, and in the 

 Mackenzie River Valley. Breeds in great abundance at the mouth of 

 the Yukon. It also was observed nesting along the streams in the 

 Barren Grounds of the Arctic regions. Its nest is made of hay or 

 wiry grass, and is sometimes placed on stumps and in trees. The 

 eggs are usually three in number ; greenish or olive brown, with vari- 

 ous markings, but chiefly small spots of reddish-umber. Sizes vary 

 from 2.00 to 2.35 long by 1.45 to 1.70 broad. 



[56.] Larus canus LINN. [671.] 



Mew Gull. 



Hab. Europe and Asia; accidental in Labrador. 



This is the Sea-mew or Sea-mall of Europe. In Great Britain it 

 breeds more or less abundantly along the entire coast, and is especially 

 common on some of the smaller islands in the Hebrides ; on the 

 north coast of Scotland it is found on the Orkney and Shetland Islands. 

 It breeds on inland lakes as well as on the sea-coast, building its nest 

 on the grassy summits of precipitous rocks near the sea or on moorland 

 locks far inland, and even on high mountain ranges. It is abundant on 

 the coast and on the fresh-water lakes of Norway. A common species, 

 and breeds in nearly all parts of Central and Northern Russia. Abund- 

 ant on the Prussian coast and on the northern coast of France. The 

 nests are made of grass and vegetable substances. The usual num- 

 ber of eggs is three ; yellowish-brown, olive-brown, and whitish to 

 greenish-gray, irregularly marked with dark brown and purplish-gray. 

 The size varies from 2.08 to 2.25 long by 1.40 to 1.58 broad. 



