148 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology. 



more of it; pursuing each other, or facing about and sparring Hke 

 young domestic cocks. 



These birds have the laughing call of L. mar in us, and a cackling cry 

 of defiance that is always heard when they are squabbling about a 

 carcass. 



Dominican Gulls were noted more or less from the Strait of Magel- 

 lan to Payta, Peru, where a small band fed about the ship on March 

 30, 1916. This is, I believe, a northern record. 



One night while watching these birds settling to roost astern of the 

 steamer at Punta Arenas it seemed strange that such creatures knew 

 to some extent upon leaving the water what they were going to do. 

 When a gull rose clear of the water and had ceased the more rapid 

 initial wing strokes, if its legs were dangling it would not extend them 

 behind and would only fly a few yards. If on clearing the water the 

 legs were immediately extended back one could be assured that a 

 more or less prolonged flight would be taken. 



Leucophaeus scoresbyi (Traill). 

 Scoresby's Gull; " Dolphin Gull ". 



This striking little gull would without the handicap of size be quite 

 as predacious as the Dominican Gull. They do not course back from 

 the water over the 'camp" as much as the latter, but all ofFal near the 

 shore is eagerly sought. About the penguin colonies they are ever on 

 the watch for eggs, and what semidigested food the penguins vomit. 



They are very curious and large flocks will follow one along the shore, 

 hovering just above one's head uttering their harsh "kee-uk, kee-uk" 

 in a maddening way. At such times relief can be obtained only by 

 shooting one of their number, and while the rest hover about to see 

 what has befallen their comrade, one may make good one's escape 

 from their annoyances. 



CaTHARACTA ANTARCTICA (LcSSOu). 



/Antarctic Skua; " Sea Hen ". 



This is a common bird on these islands, though none chanced to 

 breed at the localities where I was stationed. 



They are great scavengers about the offal from slaughtered sheep. 



