330 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FiSfl AND FISHERIES. [20*J 



home in good condition on ice, and gave it to Mr. Raymond L. Ncwcomb, 

 of Salem, Mass. The weatlier at the time I saw tliis species on the Grand 

 Banks Mas unusually cold. So far as I had an opportunity of observ- 

 ing, these birds tiy in pairs, and thus mated they will apparently keep 

 together with much constancy, but they evidently hare no disposition 

 to go in flocks. Under date of March 13, 1879, is the following note in 

 my Journal: " I saw two beautiful great burgomaster gulls this fore- 

 noon ; they were flying side by side to windward." Again, on March 

 15, 1 saw some splendid opportunities to shoot several burgomaster gulls, 

 which came unusually near the vessel, but the weather was too rough 

 to get them even if I succeeded in killing them, therefore I did not try. 

 Its flight resembles that of the herring gull {Lams argcntatus), though 

 it is perhaps less swift than the latter. 



Owing to the fact that the burgomaster is rarely or never seen in sum- 

 mer on the Grand Banks, and is so extremely timid about approaching 

 man, it is not used for bait, since, for the reasons mentioned, it cannot be 

 captured. 



The kittiwake gull [Lm-us tridactylus). 



Of all the birds which visit the fishing-banks the kittiwake gull 

 ("winter gull," '^pinyole," etc., of the fishermen) is beyond question 

 the most abundant, with the exception, perhaps, of the petrels or 

 Mother Carey chickens. These gulls have a very wide distribution 

 along the Atlanitc coast. I have seen them along the coast of New 

 Jersey, and thence to the eastern coast of Newfoundland, and while at 

 sea, in winter, I have met with them all the way from Cape Cod to the 

 Grand Banks. The species occurs in great abundance on all the outer 

 fishing-banks in winter, and at the same time is also numerous about 

 the harbors along the coast. It is apparently gregarious, but, though 

 it is usually met with in large flocks, as has just been stated, yet some- 

 times one, two, or three of these birds may follow a vessel, which is 

 making a i)assage in the deep water between the fishing-banks, for sev- 

 eral days, eagerly watching for any offal that may be thrown overboard. 



Though less daring and pugnacious than the hagdon, it is perhaps 

 even more noisy when food is obtainable. It is a constant companion 

 of fishing-schooners when anchored on the banks, and, especially when 

 fish are being dressed, it comes in countless numbers arouud the vessel 

 ready to pounce upon the ofi'al. At such times all of them join in a 

 general shout whenever any of their companions succeed in getting a 

 morsel of food, and their screams are almost deafening. Should one of 

 them get hold of a piece of codfish liver which it cannot swallow, it im- 

 mediiitely attempts to flyaway with it, but it is pursued by hundreds of 

 its screaming companions, who make every endeavor to steal the half- 

 swallowed i)iece of food. This attempt frequently proves successful ; 

 but it docs not Ibllow that the thief profits by ils enterprise, for it, in 

 (urn, is subject to tli<^ satne annoyance, an<l perhaps may lose the food 



