LAUGHING GULL. 441 



how much birds are guided in these matters by differences in 

 atmospheric temperature and locality. 



" Whilst at Great Egg Harbour, in May 1829, shortly 

 after my return from England, I found this species breeding 

 in great numbers on the margins of a vast salt marsh, border- 

 ing the sea shore, though separated from the Atlantic by a 

 long and narrow island. They constantly evinced a dislike 

 to rocky shores. About sunrise every morning, an immense 

 number of these birds would rise in the air, as if by common 

 consent, and wing their way across the land, probably intent 

 on reaching the lower shores of the Delaware River, or in- 

 deed farther towards the head waters of Chesapeake Bay. 

 They formed themselves into long, straggling lines, following 

 each other singly, at the distance of a few yards. About an 

 hour before sunset, the same birds were seen returning in an 

 extended front, now all silent, although in the morning their 

 cries were incessant, and lasted till they were out of sight. 

 On arriving at the breeding-ground, they immediately settled 

 upon their nests. On a few occasions, when it rained and 

 blew hard, the numbers that left the nests were compara- 

 tively few, and those, as I thought, mostly males. Instead 

 of travelling high, as they were wont to do in fair and calm 

 weather, they skimmed closely over the land, contending 

 with the wind with surprising pertinacity, and successfully 

 too. At such times they were also quite silent. I now and 

 then observed some of them Avhilst on wing, and at a con- 

 siderable height, suddenly check their course, as if to ex- 

 amine some object below ; but on none of these occasions 

 did I see one attempt to alight, for it soon resumed its 

 wonted course, and rejoined its companions. 



" I never found more than three eggs in a nest. Their 

 average length is two inches and half an eighth, their greatest 

 breadth a trifle more than an inch and a half. They vary 

 somewhat in their general tint, but are usually of a light 



