No. 20.] THE BIRDS OF CONNECTICUT. 21 



Larus marinus Linnaeus. Great Black-backed Gull. 



A rather rare and very shy winter resident of the Sound. 



Earliest record. New Haven, Nov. lo, 1883, Oct. 11, 1886 

 (L. B. W.). 



Latest record. New Haven, Jan. 19, 1895, April 2, 1887 

 (L. B. W.). 



Larus argentatus Pontoppidan. Herring Gull. 



An abundant winter resident on the Sound and along the in- 

 land waterways. 



Earliest record. New Haven, Aug. 14, 1883 ; Portland, Oct. 

 6, 1892. 



Latest record. New Haven, May 24, 1900; Portland, April 

 20, 1908. 



During the day these birds are abundant in New Haven Har- 

 bor, but the majority do not sleep there, for they may be seen 

 flying west along the coast toward sunset and returning from that 

 direction about sunrise. 



Small flocks may often be seen during the migration in May 

 flying high in an easterly direction and at some distance inland. 

 A large flight, estimated at over 1,000 birds, in flocks of from 

 three to twelve individuals, was seen at Hartford, March 20, 1889, 

 by W. E. Treat. 



Larus delawarensis Ord. Ring-billed Gull. 



A rare fall migrant on the coast. 



Connecticut records. Nov. 29, 1886, West Haven (L. B. W.) ; 

 Oct. 19, 1893, Stamford (in coll. of Mr. Porter) ; Dec. 6, 1893, 

 Stamford (in coll. of Mr. Schaler) ; Dec. 4, 1896, Stony Creek 

 (J. E. Cooper, in coll. of L. B. B.) ; Oct. 23, 1905, Oct. 7, 1908, 

 Branford (L. C. S., the latter in coll. of L. B. B.). 



Merriam asserts that it is not rare and that the young of this 

 species may frequently be seen in the winter associated with L. 

 argentatus} 



Larus atricilla Linnaeus. Laughing Gull. 

 At present only an accidental summer visitor. Never common. 

 Linsley found it at Stonington. Mr. Osborne informed Dr. 

 Merriam that he had seen one, June i, 1876.^ 



1 Merriam, Birds of Conn., p. 132. 



