166 NESTS AND EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



marks of brown and lilac of varying shades; size from 2.70 to 2.76 long 

 by 1.85 to 2.00 broad. 



Hab. Arctic regions; south in winter in North America to Massachusetts, occasionally much 

 further. 



662. Glaucous-winged Gull — larus glaucescens. The nesting habits 

 and eggs of this species are similar to those of L. glaiiciis. It is common 

 along the North Pacific coast, breeding northerly. 



Hab. Pacific coast of North America, from Alaska south to California; on the Asiatic side south to 

 Japan. 



6'63. Great Black-backed Gull — larus marinus. Varying from a 

 bluish-white or olive gray to deep yellowish brown, irregularly spotted and 

 blotched with reddish-brown and lilac of various shades; usually three; 

 they vary in shape from pointedly to broadly oval, and measure about 

 2.95 by 2.25. Like all of the eggs of the gulls, there is a great variation 

 in ground color and markings. This very large Gull breeds north of the 

 borders of the United States, especially in Labrador. The nest is placed 

 on the naked rock and is composed of seaweed, etc. 



Hab. Coasts of the North Atlantic; south in winter to Long Island and Italy. 



664. Western Gull — larus occidentalis. This is probably the most 

 abundant Gull on the coast of California, breeding from the southern por- 

 tion northward. A large number of eggs before me are not distinguish- 

 able from those of the next species. Hab. Pacific coast of North America. 



666rt. American Herring Gull — larus argentatus smithsonianus. 

 Varying from bluish-white to deep yellowish-bro\vn, irregularly spotted 

 and blotched with brown and lilac of varying shades; there is, in a 

 large series of eggs, so great a diversity in ground color and markings 

 that a concise description is inadequate. Mr. Capin, in his superb work, 

 "Oology of New England," figures three prevailing types of coloration. 

 Usually three in number; size about 2.75 by 1.90. This large Gull in- 

 habits North America at large, both coastwise and in the interior. Breeds 

 on the Atlantic coast from Maine northward. The nest is placed on the 

 ground or on rocks and sometimes on trees. It is a mass of grasses, moss, 

 sea-weed and dirt. 



Hab. North America generally, breeding on the Atlantic coast from Maine northward; in winter south 

 to Cuba and Lower California. 



668. Californian Gull — larus californicus. This Gull inhabits West- 

 ern and Arctic North America, breeding abundantly in the United States, 

 nesting on the ground of mossy islands, preferably rocky places and bare 

 dry spots. The nest is composed of grass, moss and lichens, gathered in 

 a heap and slightly hollowed. The eggs are usually three in number, with 

 the usual variations in color and size, averaging about 2.70 by 1.85. 



Hab. Western Province of North America, from Alaska to Me.vico. 



