198 The Wilson Bulletin — No. G5. 



bare rock. Many of the more exposed nests showed unmistaka- 

 bl'C signs of having beeni pilfered by the crows. 



The eggs examined ranged from freshly laid to nearly half 

 incubated. Nowhere did we find yoinig birds, nor even pipped 

 eggs. Evidently this was the laying period for this species. 



The nests were for the most part well comstructed ati'airs of 

 grass which had been gathered in the immediate vicinity of the 

 nest. The depression in the center varied from nearly level to 

 at least four inches. In short, the many nests examined did not 

 differ materially in construction from nests of the Laughing 

 Gull, which I am familiar with, nor from descriptions of the 

 nests of other large gulls. 



The full nest complement of these gulls is three eggs. It is 

 likely that nests containing one or two eggs had been pilfered 

 by the crows. Nothing of a positive nature was learned about 

 the order of deposition of the eggs, but there was some evidence 

 for thinking that an interval of one day occurs. The color and 

 markings of the eggs vary a good deal, both between different 

 sets of eggs as well as within the same set, but the markings 

 and shape are typically gull-like. 



At no time of day or night were the gulls quiet. Some indi- 

 viduals could be seen or heard flying about the island at any 

 time, and the air was always full of their calls. The ordinary 

 cackling calls were various, some bearing a close resemblance to 

 the characteristic 'laughing' of the Laughing Gull, others being 

 shared by no otlier species known to- me. There were long- 

 drawn calls which reminded one of certain calls of the Herring 

 Gull. At no time were we able to observe these birds in an un- 

 disturbed frame of mind, much to our regret. The tent was 

 inconspiccus and well hidden, but the birds seemed to continu- 

 ously remember our presence. Although we remained quiet and 

 hidden for long periods there was scarcely a lull in the frantic 

 screamings. and the slightest stir was the signal for a storm of 

 vituperation from the nearest sentinel. Instantly every perched 

 bird stood at attention or vaulted ofi:" into space, while every 

 flying bird responded with voice and wing. The birds, startled 

 from their perches all about the island, wove a webb of white 



