418 BIRDS OF AKCTIC AMERICA MACFAKLA.NE. 



the bird itself was observed in various localities. Fifteen of the nests 

 (;ontained two e^gs eacli, and but five had as many as three. The nest 

 was usually a shallow depression in the beach, while in one of them we 

 discovered an egg of the Black Brant which was being incubated by a 

 bird of this species. The egg of the goose was in a more embryo- 

 developed stage than those of the gull, which we always consider<'d as 

 about the bravest of the Laridce in defense of its eggs and young. 



43. Larus leucopterus Faber. (?) Iceland Gull. 



This species was not seen, or at all events no specimens found theij- 

 way to Fort Anderson from Liverpool Bay ; but several sets of the sup- 

 posed eggs were i)rocured on the shores of Franklin Bay early in July, 

 1803, and again in July, 1805. 



51a. Larus argentatus smithsoriianus Coues. Aiuericau Herriug Gull. 



This gull is common on the Arctic coast, as well as along the \Yilniot- 

 Horton Eiver (Barren Grounds), and a number of nests were discovered 

 and the eggs secured in the referred-to localities, and also from islands 

 on the Lower Anderson. 



53. Larus californicus Lawrence California Gull. 



Quite a number of specimens with eggs were received from the Lower 

 Anderson Esquimaux, and one or two nests also we»!e found on the 

 margin of small lakes in the vicinity of the fort. 



55. Larus brachyrhynclius Kicbardsoii. Short-billed Gull. 



More numerous and widely <liltused than the three preceding species. 

 Its nest is usually a small cavity in the sand by the sideof a stream or 

 sheet of water ; but it also frecpiently builds on a stumj) or tree, and in 

 such cases dry twigs, hay, and mosses are used in its constiuction. A 

 good many sets of eggs and birds were collected at Fori Antlersou. 

 The parents do their utmost to drive away intruders. On one occa.-^ion 

 in the " Barrens" we wounded a male which a female Stercorarius para- 

 siticus set upon as he fell into the water, evidently with no liu ntlly in- 

 tentions ; but another shot killed both. 



59. Larus fraiikliuii Swaiii.sou and Richardson. Franklin's Gull. 



Although no example specimen was secured, yet I strongly incline to 

 think that some gulls of this species breed within the before defined 

 section of the Arctic regions. 



60. Larus Philadelphia (Ord). Bonaparte's Gull. 



Thirty seven nests are lecorded as having been taken with eggs in 

 them, between 10th June and lOtli July, in the wooded country in the 

 neighborhood of Fort Anderson and on Lower Anderson Kiver they 





