200 ALASKA. 



Larus orcuhijrliynclins, Gould. P. Z. S., (July 2'), 1 ^-18.)— Guild. 



Voy. Sulphur, 50, pi. 34, ( .) Not of KiciLvHLsf^x. 



liissa brathi/rliyncha, Bp. Consp. Av., ii, 223, (18."G.)— Cours. 



Proc. Pbila. Acad., 306, (18o2.) 

 Bissa nivea, Lawh. B. N. A., 855, (1858.) (Exci. Syu. Not Larus 

 niveus, Pall.) 

 This excellent species will instantly be distinguished from tlie 

 preceding by its short bill, and especially by its rich coral, ver- 

 milion, or lake-red legs, (drying straw-yellow.) There is no 

 possibility of confounding the two, although their synonymy 

 has become involved to such an extent that the task of disen- 

 tangling it is almost hopeless. The names above quoted are of 

 unquestionable pertinence here ; several others that might be 

 quoted are preferably left untouched. 



"This beautiful gull, one of the most elegant of birds on the 

 wing, seems to favor these islands with its presence to the ex- 

 clusion of other land, coming here by tens of thousands to bieed. 

 It is especially abundant on Saint George's Island. It is cer- 

 tainly by far the most attractive of all the gulls ; its short, sym- 

 metrical bill, large hazel eye, with crimson lids, and bright-red 

 feet, contrasting richly with the snowy-white plumage of the 

 head, neck, and under parts. 



"Like Larus gJmicits, this bird remains about the islands 

 during the whole season, coming on the clift's for the purpose of 

 nest-building, breeding by the Dth of May, and deserting the 

 bluffs when the young are fully fledged and ready for flight, 

 early in October. 



"It is much more cautious and prudent than the 'arrie,' for 

 its nests are placed on almost inaccessible shelves and points, 

 so that seldom can a nest be reached unless a person is lowered 

 down to it by a rope passed over the cliff. 



"]S'est-building is commenced by this bird early in May, and 

 completed, usually, not much before the first of July. It uses 

 dry grass and moss, cemented with mud, which it gathers at 

 the margin of the small fresh- water sloughs and ponds scattered 

 over the islands. The nest is solidly and neatly put up, the 

 parent birds working in the most diligent and amiable nKinner. 

 "Two eggs are the usual number, although occasionally three 

 will be found in the nest. If these eggs are removed, the female 

 will renew them, like the 'arrie,' in the course of another week 

 or ten days. They are of the size and shape of the common 

 lien's egg, but colored with a dark-gray ground, spotted and 

 blotched with sepia-brown patches and dots. Once in a while 



