30 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



57. Larus heermanni CASS. [672.] 



Heerman's Gull. 



Hab. Pacific coast of North America, from British Columbia to Panama. 



This is said to be one of the handsomest birds of the family to 

 which it belongs, and is commonly called the White-headed Gull. It 

 is a common species along the Californian coast and is most abundant 

 in winter. At the Farallone Islands it is occasionally seen, but does 

 not breed there. It probably breeds on the Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa 

 Islands, as it does on others farther south. 



The general habits of this species are the same as those of other 

 gulls. One particular trait, however, marks this species that of fol- 

 lowing flocks of pelicans and robbing them of a portion of the fish 

 which these birds carry in their pouches, seizing upon the fishes which 

 fall out or hang outside. The food of this Gull is almost exclusively 

 fish, which it also procures by diving. It also feeds on small Crustacea 

 and mollusca. The eggs of this species are described as having a 

 yellowish-drab ground-color, over which is scattered spots and mark- 

 ings of lilac and different shades of brown. The average size is 2.45 

 by 1.50. 



58. Larus atricilla LINN. [673.] 



Laughing Gull. 



Hab. Eastern tropical and warm temperate America, chiefly along the sea coast, from Maine to 

 Brazil; Pacific coast and Middle America. 



The Laughing or Black-headed Gull is more of a southern 

 species, particularly one of the Gulf and South Atlantic States, but 

 is found breeding as far north as the coasts of New England. It is an 

 abundant and a resident species on the coasts of Florida, along the 

 whole extent of the Gulf of Mexico ; and also on the Pacific and 

 Atlantic coasts of Central America. 



Mr. Maynard says : " The notes of Gulls are loud and startling, 

 but those of the Laughing are the most singular of them all, for their 

 cries, especially when the bird is excited, sound like loud peals of 

 prolonged and derisive laughter."* 



Mr. R. C. Stuart, of Tampa, Fla., writes that this species nests in 

 large communities, on grassy islands along the Gulf coast in May and 

 June, placing the nest in tussocks of grass ; the cavity is nicely lined 

 with fine, dry grasses. The eggs are from three to five in number. 



In color they vary from bluish-white to greenish-ash, spotted and 

 blotched with brown, umber and lilac of varying shades ; the usual 

 variations in size, ground color and markings are to be found in a 



*Birds of Eastern North America. 



