74 U. S. p. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA. 



Though on the Farrallones during the breeding season, I saw no blue back gulls, notwith- 

 standing a careful and diligent search. The nest of the western gull, placed on the rocky hill 

 sides and on the flats, is composed of sea grasses and weeds, and contains from two to three 

 eggs of a light olive green or brown, dashed with dark brown or black. Of these latter birds, 

 as well as of their eggs, I obtained a great number. 



LARUS ARGENT ATUS, Br un n.— Herring Gull. 



Larm argentatus. Add. B. of A. Oct. vol. VII, page 163, pi. 448. — Nutt. Orn. vol. II, p. 304. 



Most abundant on the southern coast of California. 



LARUS HEERMANNI, C a s s i n .—White-headed Gull. 



Larus heermanni, Cassis, Proceed. Ac. Nat. Sc. Phil. vol. VI, p. 187, (1852.)— Ib. lUua B. of Cal. and Tex. 

 p. 28, pi. 5. 



I first discovered this gull on the coast as far north as Monterey, and again met it at all the 

 intermediate points as far south as San Diego, where it was most plentiful. It there associates 

 during the winter with the western gull, {L. occidentalis.) Following vessels as they enter the 

 harbors, and circling around them, it appears to be waiting for such garbage as is from time to 

 time thrown overboard from the cook's galley. It also alights on the kelp which covers an 

 immense area off San Diego bay, amongst which it catches small fish and finds an ample supply 

 of small Crustacea and marine insects. Like the rest of the genus it eats carrion, having seen 

 the body of a dead seal covered with this and the preceding species. The Coronadoes Islands, 

 about fifteen miles to seaward from San Diego^ are a favorite breeding resort of this bird. 

 While travelling along the California coast, on one of the United States mail steamships, I 

 observed two or three small species of gulls, for which I, of course, was unable to stop. 



DIOMEDEA NIGRIPES, Aud.— Black-footed Albatross. 



Diomedea nigrijies. Aid. B. of A. Get. vol. VII, p. 198.— Ib. Orn. Biog. vol. V, p. 337.— Casbin's 111. B. of Cal. and 

 Tex. p. 210, pi. 3,'). 



This species abounds on the California coast, skimming the waves in its flight, and following 

 in the wake of passing vessels to pick up the refuse scraps thrown overboard. Voracious in its 

 habits, it seizes on whatever is thrown on the water, of which propensity advantage may be 

 taken by baiting a hook and drawing them on board. From the stern ports of a ship I have 

 thus captured eight or ten of these birds in a single morning, I observed a white albatross on 

 this coast, though smaller than the Diomedea exidans which wo saw about Cape Horn. Not 

 having procured it however, I cannot determine its species. 



? PROCELLARIA.— ? Fulmar. 



Resembles very much our common fulmar (P. glacialis) in color and form, and was very 

 abundant at some miles from the coast ; but as I was unable to obtain a specimen, I cannot say 

 what Procellaria it was. It may have been the Pacific fulmar (F. pacificus) described in Mr. 

 Audubon's works. Two kinds of petrel (T/ialassidroma) were also seen but not captured, in 

 consequence of which their species still remains a matter of doubt. 



