118 



LAUGHING GULL. 



PLATE CCXXIII. — FIG. I. 



Lanes utricilla, . . . Montagu. Fleming. 

 Xema alricilla, .... Gould. 



The present species builds in marshy places near the 

 sea-shore. Meyer asserts that during fine weather this 

 bird sits on the eggs only at night, leaving the breeding- 

 place early in the morning for the purpose of feeding; 

 but that, when the weather is wet or cold, she remains 

 on the eggs, and takes care of them also during the day. 



The nest is made of dry grass and sea- weeds, arranged 

 to a height of two or three inches, the interior being 

 from four and a half to five inches wide, and, one and 

 a half deep. 



Audubon mentions a curious instance of two nests 

 being built as it were into one ; each pair of birds, both 

 male and female, living in the closest companionship, 

 in both senses of the word. In some instances the 

 sand alone is hollowed into a nest. 



The eggs are three in number at the most; their 

 usual colour is brownish olive, spotted and blotted with 

 dull reddish brown, the said markings being most nu- 

 merous about the larger end. They are considered very 

 good to eat. 



The old birds exhibit much care for their charge. 

 The young ones quit the nest soon after being hatched. 



The plate is from an egg forwarded by Mr. Wise, 



