546 THE ICELAND GULL. 



first black on the outer web also; the fourth and fifth narrowly tipped with white; 

 bill light yellow; legs and feet blackish; the hind toe rudimentary (a mere knob) 

 or absent ; iris reddish brown; eye-ring red. Adult in winter: Similar, but sides 

 of head and hind-neck overlaid with dark gray or plumbeous, and with plumbeous 

 slate around eye, most sharply in front. Immature: "Similar to winter adults, 

 but with the back' of the neck, lesser wing-coverts, and part of the tertials black; 

 tail, except outer pair of feathers, with a black band at the tip ; four outer pri- 

 maries black, except the inner half or more of their inner w-ebs ; fifth and sixth 

 tipped with black and white; bill black; feet yellowish" (Chapman). Length 

 16.00-17.50 (406.4-444.5) ; wing 12.00 (304.8) ; tail 4.80 (121.9) ; bill 1.35 (34.3) ; 

 tarsus 1.35 (34.3). 



Recognition Marks. — I' row size; it differs from the Ring-billed Gull (Larus 

 delawarensis) , with which alone it is likely to be confused in this state, by the 

 deeper blue of mantle, much less extensive black of primaries, and absence of black 

 band on bill. 



Nesting. — Does not breed in Ohio. Nest, on ledges of rocky cliffs, of grass, 

 moss, and seaweed. Eggs, 3 to 4. yellowish or olive-buff, pale greenish gray, etc., 

 with spots and blotches of chocolate-brown and obscure lilac. Av. size, 2.26 x 

 r.61 (57.4 x 40.9). 



General Range. — Arctic regions, south in eastern North America in winter 

 to the Great Lakes and the Middle States. 



Range in Ohio. — Rare winter visitor on Lake Erie. — fide Mr. Winslow. 



THIS gentle Gull exists in countless numbers in the high northern lati- 

 tudes, but it no longer ventures farther south than Long Island Sound or the 

 coast of New Jersey. There are several records of its appearance in winter upon 

 the Great Lakes, all by competent observers; but, so far as I have been able 

 to learn, no specimens exist of birds taken anywhere nearer than Lake On- 

 tario. Inasmuch, however, as Mr. Mclhvraith pronounces the species "very 

 common around the west end of Lake Ontario." there is little reason to call 

 in question the record of Mr. R. K. Winslow 1 of three specimens seen in 

 Cleveland harbor many years ago. 



No. 260. 



ICELAND GULL. 



A. O. U. No. 43. Larus leucopterus Faber. 



Synonym. — White- winged Gull. 



Description. — Adult in summer: Mantle pale pearl-gray (just off white) ; 

 remaining plumage pure white; bill chrome yellow, with vermilion spot on lower 

 mandible at angle ; legs and feet pale yellowish or flesh-color ; iris yellow. Adult 

 in winter: Similar, but head and neck lightly streaked with pale brownish gray. 

 Young : White below, tinged with pale brownish gray ; elsewhere streaked, barred 



1 Vide, Wheaton p. 550.; .Tones' Catalog p. 224. 



