ALASKA. 199 



55'J. Larias tridactyloos var. kof-tf^obtii, (lir.) Coves.— Pacific Kltti- 

 ivakr. " t'lioniit'-iiiiu.slikic, govcrooskii.'." 

 liissa ho(^(bni, Jip. Coiisp. Av., 11, '220, (IWoO.)— Coues. Pr. 

 Pbila. Acad., m'j, (ldG2. )— Cocks. Pr. Pbila. Acad., '^07, (18(]y.) 

 Luni8 tridactylus, Dall &, Bann. Tr. Cbic. Ac;vl., 1, 305, (18C9.) 

 Larm tridactijlus var. kotzchui, Coues, Key, 314, (1^;72.) 



Wo have called attention, in our publications above quote*], 

 to the fact that the North Paciiic kittiwake has the hind toe 

 better formed than that of the Atlantic l)iid ; and this is the 

 sole basis of the supposed species. 



Although thus so similar to the true LaruH tridactijlus that it 

 cannot be specifically distin<]fuished, and also totally distinct 

 from the next species, there has been a strange confusion regard- 

 ing it. I do not venture now to add to the foregoing synon- 

 ymy several names more or less doubtfully here applicable. Bo- 

 naparte quotes as synonymous, Iiissa nivca of Bruch, J.f. O.^ 

 1855, 285; and also quQvies R. byachi/rJnjncha of Bruch, ?^u7., 

 1853, 103. Xo one of the four species of Elssa described by 

 Mr. Lawrence, in 1858, in Baird's work, pp. 85^, 855, belongs 

 here. 



" This kittiwake breeds here by tens of thousands, in com- 

 pany with E. hrevirostriSj coming at the same time, but laying 

 a week or ten days earlier ; in all other respects it corresponds 

 in habit, and is in just about the same number. It is a remark- 

 ably constant bird in coloration, when adult, for I have failed 

 to observe the slightest variation in plumage among the great 

 numbers here under my notice. 



'^ In building its nest it uses more grass and less mud-cement 

 than the brevirostris does. The eggs are more pointed at the 

 small end and lighter in the ground-color, with numerous spots 

 and blotches of dark brown. The chick is difficult to distin- 

 guish with certainty from the brevirostris^ and it is not until two 

 or three weeks have passed that any difference can be noted in 

 the length of bill and color of feet. 



^'' Like Bissa brevirostris, the male treads the femnle on the 

 nest, and nowhere else, making a loud, shrill, screaming sound 

 during the ceremony.*' 



553. Larus brcvii*osti*i§, (Jln\SDT.)—Short-'b'dJc(l or Bcd-Uggcd Kitti- 

 irakc. '* Goverooskie/"' 

 Hissa hrevirostris, Brandt.— Lawr. B.N. A., 655, (1858.)— Dall 



& Banx. Tr. Chicago Acad., i, 305, (1809.) 

 Lants hrevirostris, Couks. Key N. A. Birds, 315, (167*2.) 



