262 LOXG-WINGED SWIMMERS — LONGIPENNES. 



whitish. Outer i^triniary with the entire outer weh, and a stripe along the inner next the shaft, 

 with the end, black, the remaining portion white ; second and third ([uills similar, but the white 

 successively more restricted ; fourth, bluish white on both webs (inner web more bluish), the 

 subterminal portion black for more than an inch, the tip with a small white spot ; remaining tjuills 

 similar, but deeper l)luish gray. Bill dusky ; feet pale brownish (in skin). Young, second year : 

 Similar to the adult in winter plumage, but central lesser wing-coverts dusky, tail crossed by a 

 subterminal l)and of dusky brown, and primaries marked as in the first plumage. 



Total length, about 14.00 inches ; extent, 32.00 ; wing, 10.25 ; culmen, 1.20 ; depth of bill 

 through nostrils, .25 ; tarsus, 1.40 ; middle toe with claw, 1.40. 



This is a widely distributed species, found througliout North America at different 

 seasons, being common both to the Atlantic and the Pacific coasts, and breeding from 

 about latitude 45° or 50° north nearly or quite to the Arctic Ocean. It winters in the 

 southern portions of the United States, on both shores, and also, to a certain extent 

 — not w^ell ascertained — in Mexico and in Central America. It is found in the 

 interior as well as on the sea-coast, but chiefly in its migrations. It is abundant in 

 the waters of the St. Croix and on Passamaquoddy Bay, and is quite common in the 

 summer. Eichardson states in regard to it, that he found it in large numbers in all 

 parts of the Pur Countries, where it associates with the Terns, and is distinguished 

 by its peculiar shrill and plaintive cry. Captain Blakiston mentions that he met 

 with this species at the mouth of Hayes Eiver, on the west coast of Hudson's Bay ; 

 and Mr. Murray received specimens from the same locality. This Gull Avas also 

 found on the IVlackenzie River by Mr. Bernard Boss. 



IVIr. J. A. Allen obtained three specimens in Great Salt Lake Valley ; these were 

 all in the adult plumage, and differed from the eastern specimens of this Gull in 

 having thicker, much shorter, and less decurved bills. 



Birds of this species occur as occasional stragglers in various parts of New Eng- 

 land ; and they are quite common in spring and fall in the neighborhood of Calais, 

 on the St. Croix River, and in Passamaquoddy Bay. They are less abundant in the 

 summer ; but many remain, and are supposed to breed somewhere in that neighbor- 

 hood in trees. In my visits to Eastport, the Bay of Fundy, and its islands, I have 

 noticed them in large numbers in the months of June and July. I could obtain, 

 liowever, no evidence in any quarter of their nesting in that vicinity. If they do 

 breed there, it has entirely escaped the notice of those who live in that region. The 

 Gulls -were all in flocks, and mostly in mature plumage ; but all appeared to be 

 unmated. I found them on the water at all hours of the day and night, and as they^ 

 were very rarely molested, exceedingly tame and unsuspicious. 



Dr. Cooper speaks of finding birds of this species common at Puget Sound at all 

 seasons of the year ; and the same statement is made by Dr. Suckley. They appear 

 about San Francisco only from September to May ; and do not seem to migrate as 

 far south as San Diego, although Dr. Cooper met with some at San Pedro, late in 

 May, in their immature plumage. They were almost constantly on the wing, diving 

 actively for fish, and w^ere rather shy. Their notes consisted of sharp, but rather 

 faint, squeaks. They are considered good eating. 



This Gull occurs in small numbers in spring and fall in Southern Wisconsin, on 

 Lake Koskonong, where examples are each season procured by Professor Kumlien, 

 who writes me that this is the most common Gull of Southern Wisconsin — arriving 

 there in April, when the young grass begins to start, passing northward in large 

 scattered flocks, flying leisurely and low, as if they intended carefully to examine 

 the country they pass over. These are all old ones in their best spring plumage. 

 The immature young birds come in May, and are not uncommon in the lake in June ; 



