244 LONG- WINGED SWIMMERS — LONGIPENNES. 



Captain Bendire mentions finding this a very common species on Lake Mallieur, 

 in Eastern Oregon, where it breeds abundantly. 



Mr. Ridgway found it in Large numbers on Pyramid Lake, as well as on Great 

 Salt Lake. It nested in immense numbers upon the islands in both of these lakes, and 

 fed chiefly about the mouths of the streams flowing into them — often ascending the 

 large rivers for some distance. The birds were found there only in summer, during 

 which season no other species of Gull was seen in the same localities ; Avhile in win- 

 ter this species was entirely replaced by L. delawarensis. In Great Salt Lake it 

 nested almost, if not quite, exclusively on Carrington Island ; and in Pyramid Lake, 

 on the main island. It was on the latter that Mr. Ridgway became best acquainted 

 with the species ; for during his several visits in the month of May, 1868, he found 

 it exceedingly abundant on the northwest side, which was occupied by this Gull as 

 its breeding-ground. An area of several acres was thickly crowded with the nests, 

 which were mere heaps of dirt and gravel, mingled with rubbish of sticks, bones, and 

 feathers, raised a few inches above the surface, and with a slight depression on the 

 top. By far the larger number of these nests Avere placed upon rocks ; but some on 

 the tops of stunted sage or on greasewood bushes. 



The eggs were from one to five in number, but usually three or four. When the 

 nesting-ground was invaded, the Gulls flew reluctantly from their nests — some cir- 

 cling about overhead, and others perching upon the ledges of rock, all uttering 

 deafening cries. The eggs were used for food during the stay of the party at the lake, 

 and were highly esteemed by all, being very rich, and entirely free from the disagree- 

 able musky odor and toughness of the eggs of some Geese and Ducks. 



This colony of Gulls Avas a great pest to the Pelicans, and their eggs had been 

 twice destroyed by the latter during the season. 



In the collection of the Smithsonian Institution are numerous examples of the 

 eggs of this species from the neighborhood of Great Slave Lake. Specimens of the 

 birds and eggs Avere secured near Fort Resolution by Mr. Kennicott, and also by Mr. 

 Mackenzie ; and others Avere taken by Mr. B. Ross at Port Simpson, and at Big Island 

 by jVIr. J. Reid. These Gulls Avere also found breeding on the LoAver Anderson River 

 by Mr. MacFarlane. 



Six eggs (Smithsonian Collection, ]N"o. 4226), collected by Mr. Ridgway at Pyramid 

 Lake, present the folloAving variations in their measurement : 2.50 inches by 1.90 ; 

 2.55 by 1.65; 2.60 by 1.95; 2.65 by 1.85; and 2.70 by 1.75. The ground-colors of 

 these eggs A^ary from a bluish Avhite, Avithout any markings Avhatever, to a deep broAvn- 

 ish clay-color, with numerous spots of brownish slate and dark clove-broAvn. In a fcAV 

 examples the subdued spots of lilac and slate predominate ; in others they are over- 

 lain Avith the darker broAvn : some of these are in blotches, others are in zigzag lines. 



Larus dela-warensis. 



THE RING-BILLED GULL. 



Lartis delawarensis, Ord, Guthrie's Geog. 2d Am. ed. 1815, 319. — Laavu. in Baiid's B. N. Am. 



1858, 846. — Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, no. 664. — Coues, Key, 1872, 313 ; Check List, 



1873, no. 548 ; 2d ed. 1882, no. 778 ; B. N. AV. 1874, 636. —Saunders, P. Z. S. 1878, 176. — 



RiDGAv. Kom. N. Am . B. 1881, no. 669. 

 Larus canus, Bonap. Specc. Comp. 1827, 69 (not of Linn. 1758). 

 ? Larus argentatoides, " Brehm," Bonap. Synop. 1828, 360 (notof Brehm, 1822). 

 Larus zonorhijnchus, Riciiaruson, F. B. A. IL 1831, 421. — Aud. Oru. Biog. III. 1835, 98; V. 



1839, 638, pi. 212 ; Syuop. 1839, 327 ; B. Am. VIL 1844, 152, pi. 446. 

 Gavina Bruchii, Bonap. Naum. IV. 1854, 212. 

 Larus zonorhynchics, var. mexicanus, Bonap. Cousp. II. 1857, 224. 



