504 Annals of the Carnegie Museum. 



the spring seen several high in the air, flying over the mainland towards 

 the lake, evidently migrating ; otherwise he has never observed them 

 away from the lake and bay. In a series of ten s])ecimens secured 

 during the spring and fall of 1900 only one was in fully adult plumage. 



10. Larus delawarensis. Ring-rilled Gull. 



The Ring-billed Gull may occur through the winter, but it was re- 

 corded by us as a migrant only, not noticed in the spring, but moderately 

 common in the fall, from October 17 until November 15. Scattering 

 individuals were fre(]uently noticed on both Lake Erie and Misery Bay, 

 sometimes alone, but more often associated with Herring or Bonaparte's 

 Gulls. They were not particularly shy, and on November 4, when they 

 were especially abundant, kept flying over our duck decoys and near 

 the blinds with utter fearle.ssness. It so happened, however, that no 

 specimens were secured. Mr. Bacon .seems not to have met with this 

 l)ird in life, but Mr. Simpson contributes the following notes: "On 

 April 26, 1902, during a terrific northwest blow that brought on an im- 

 mense flight of Bonaparte's Ckills, two birds of this species [the Ring- 

 billed ( Jull] were noted off Crystal Point, one of which I was so fortunate 

 as to secure. From November 17 to 23, 1902, this gull, together with 

 the Herring and Bonaparte's Gulls was ciuite common off the outside 

 beach during the strong east winds which prevailed at that time, and by 

 ])ersistent effort I was able to secure six .specimens, all in the spotted 

 plumage of the immature bird. Two adults were noted, one of which 

 was wounded oft" Crystal Point, but not secured. Again, on Novem- 

 ber 24, 1903, a few of this species were seen, associated with the Her- 

 ring Gulls. ' ' Two of the specimens alluded to above, taken respectively 

 on November 22 and 23, 1902, are now in the Carnegie Museum. 



11. Larus Philadelphia. Bc^naparte's Gull. 



I'his s])ecies occurs as a common transient in spring and fall, being 

 most numerous at the former season, according to the testimony at hand. 

 Our experience with this gull in the spring of 1900 was that it was usually 

 found in loose flocks of from twenty to a hundred individuals, coursing 

 up and down the bay, feeding, or occasionally on the outside beach, 

 resting on a sand-bar. However, on the few comparatively calm days 

 during the season more or less compact flocks were met with resting on 

 the smooth water, their light color rendering them conspicuous at a long 

 distance. At such times it was difficult or impossible to approach 

 within range, and far better chances of securing specimens were afforded 



