238 SWIMMERS. 



FRANKLIN'S GULL. 



Larus franklinii. 



Char. Mantle deep bluish gray; head dark sooty slate color, a patch 

 of white over the eyes; outer wing-feathers barred with black and tipped 

 with white ; tail pale pearl gray ; under parts white, tinted with rose pink ; 

 bill bright red, barred near the end with black; legs dull red. In winter 

 the head is white. Length about 14 inches. 



Nest. In a reedy marsh or woody swamp ; made of flags or other 

 coarse herbage. 



Eggs. 3 ; pale to dark buff or drab, sometimes tinged with olive, pro- 

 fusely marked with several shades of brown; 2.10 X 1.40. 



Franklin's Gull is chiefly confined to the western division of 

 this continent, nesting in suitable localities amid the plains from 

 about latitude 43° to the Saskatchewan valley, where it is abun- 

 dant. Small numbers have been found nesting in Iowa and Wis- 

 consin. In autumn the flocks migrate southward and range through 

 Central America, some going as far as Peru. 



These birds build in communities and are very noisy. While on 

 the wing they utter constantly a shrill and plaintive cry. 



BONAPARTE'S GULL. 



Larus Philadelphia. 



Char. Mantle pearl gray; head and neck or hood grayish black or 

 deep slate color ; white patches over the eyes ; outer wing-feathers with 

 a subterminal bar of black tipped with white, excepting outer web of first 

 primary, which is entirely black; tail white; under parts white, tinged 

 with rose pink; bill black and slender; legs and feet bright red. In win- 

 ter the head is white, with a dusky spot on the cheeks and a tinge of gray 

 on the nape. In young birds the head and back are more or less tinged 

 with brown, and the tail has a terminal band of black. Length about 14 

 inches. 



Nest. Usually in a tree, sometimes on a high branch, often in a low 

 bush amid a woody swamp ; made of twigs and lined with grass or moss. 



Eggs. 3-4 (usually 3) ; pale to dark brown, often tinged with olive, 

 marked with brown and lavender ; 2.00 X 1.40. 



This elegant Gull is common in all parts of the fur countries, 

 where it associates with the Terns, and is distinguished by its 



