732 THE CALIFORNIA GULL. 



occupies some definitely circuinscril)e<l region in tlie tar Xdrili, coiijectnred 

 to be tlie shores of Bering Sea, and tliat ages of loyally to the scenes of 

 childhood have bestowed this distincti\e mark uixni it. 



One of these dark-winged birds which used In rest mi the tnp uf a 

 certain convenient pile, in liellingham. ha<l a foot taken off, as if Ijy a sharp- 

 edged tra]). The bird, howe\'er, su]Ji)orted himself freely upon the tarsal 

 stiini]), and appai-entlv made light nf his inlirmity. ( )ld " 1 )i)t-and-go-i me" 

 had alsn an nniisiiallv conspicur)us spot of \ermilii)n, which ginwcd beci im- 

 ingl}', upon the angle of the lower man(li])le. 



No. 294. 



CALIFORNIA GULL. 



A. O. V. Xn. 53. Lams californicus Lawr. 



Description. — .Idtilt: Mantle pearl gray (averaging a little darker than in 

 arc/ciitatiis) : tip of wing (six dutcr ]>rimaries) cliielly lilack, that of i st primary 

 interrnpted near tip 1iv blntch nf white about twn inches in length, shaft of 

 feather white in this ])ortion, area nf white decreasing on inner web: 2nd pri- 

 niarv less extensively blotched with white, forming in the exposed wing with 

 the iireceding a wedge-shaped area of white, largest anteriorly, shaft of this 

 (|uill lilack thruciiit: tips of all white; black disappearing in small Mibtcrminal 

 l);ir cif 'ith : remaining iilnmage pure white (streaked, or not, with dusky ijn 

 hind-head and neck in winter) ; bill yellow (brighter in summer), a re mud spot of 

 vermilion, above which a round spot of black, on lower mandible at angle: irides 

 brown: feet greenish gray or yellowish gray. Xcarly iinrtiirr: As in adult, but 

 lingering traces of brownish gra^• <m u])iier])arts, tail with narrow, imperfectly 

 defined subtcrminal bar of black: white subtermiual area i>n 1st [iriinary re- 

 duced: none on 2nd. Young: l'|)]ierparts more or less mottled with dusky or 

 brownish grav : ]irimaries and rectrices brownish lilack paling slightly on tips: 

 bill black on terminal halt. Length of adult 20.00-23.00 (508-584.2): wing 

 15.00-17.00 ( 3Si-43i.>S ) ; bill 1.65-2. 15 (41.9-54,6). depth at angle .60-. 75 (15.2- 

 10.1 ) : tarsus 2.40 ( 61 ). 



Recognition Marl<s. — Small dull size: feet c/rccnisli gray (serving to dis- 

 tinguish frnm all but dcUizivrcnsis. which is more extensively black on wing-tip 

 with lianded bill, and brachyrhyiicliiis. which is smaller with relatively smaller 

 beak) : large wedge-sha])ed s|)ot of white near tip of wing: otherwise much like 

 <!rgci:tatiis. which it closely apjiroaches in size. 



Nesting. — Xot known to breed in Washington. Xcsts: on ground in colonies 

 in inland marsbcs. Eggs: 3, colored as in other forms. Av. size. 2.60x1.80 

 ( 66 X 45.7 ). 



General Range. — Western and Arctic X'orth America breeding chicflx- in the 

 interior from northern California and Ut.ah northward; si.uth in winter to I^ower 

 California and Mexico, 



