OCEAN BIRDS. 153 



No. 154. AMERICAN HERRING GULL. 



Species: L. argentatus smithsonianus. 



Distribution: 



An abundant winter visitor along the coast^ often driven far 

 inland by storm. 



Date of Arrival: 

 November. 



Date of Departure: 

 Last of March. 



General Plumage: 



In summer, upper parts grayish white, wings black tipped, 

 other plumage white. In winter, head regions grayish; im- 

 mature, upper parts grayish black, buff' marked, long wino- 

 feathers dark brown; under parts ashen brown . Bill yellow 

 dark band, feet flesh color. Length about 24.00. 



Song and Other Notes: 



Cries "like akak-kakak." 



Haunts: 



A bird of the ocean and large rivers. 



