NESTS AND EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 167 



669. Ring-billed Gull — larus delawarensis. Varying from bluish- 

 white to dark brown, spotted and blotched with brown and lilac of various 

 shades; size from 2.75 to 2.80 long by 1.60 to 1.75 broad; three or 

 four in number. This Gull inhabits the entire continent of North America, 

 and is, on the whole, the commonest species, both coastwise and in the 

 interior. Breeds in the United States and far north, placing the nest on 

 the ground or on cliffs. It is composed of sticks, grass, weeds, etc. 



Hab. North America at large, south in winter to Cuba and Mexico. 



673. Laughing Gull — larus atricilla. Varying from bluish-white to 

 greenish-ash, spotted and blotched with brown, umber and lilac of varying 

 shades; the usual variations in size, ground color and markings are to be 

 found in a large series of these eggs; size from 2.00 to 2.28 long by 1.50 

 to 1.65 broad. They are usually three in number, sometimes two. The 

 Laughing or Black-headed Gull is more of a southern species, particularly 

 one of the Gulf and South Atlantic States, but is found breeding as far 

 north as the coasts of New England. Like the others, it breeds in colonies. 

 Mr. Maynard says: "The notes of gulls are loud and startling, but those 

 of the Laughing are the most singular of them all, for their cries, 

 especially when the birds are excited, sound like loud peals of prolonged, 

 derisive laughter. " The nest is placed on the ground in sandy places, 

 made of grass, sea-weeds, etc., sk'ghtly hollowed. 



Hab. Eastern tropical and warm temperate America, chiefly along the sea-coast, from Maine to Brazil; 

 Pacific coast and Middle America. 



674. Franklin's Gull — larus franklinl In North America this Gull 

 is confined to the interior west of the Mississippi, breeding from the 

 northern border of the United States northward. The eggs are described 

 as closely resembling those of the Eskimo Curlew in size, shape and color, 

 though the dark splashes are more evenly distributed over the surface. 

 The groundcolor varies from dirty white to olive-drab and light brown, 

 with all the shades of the lighter tints of green and ashy. They are usually 

 marked with numerous and bold splashes and zig-zag lines of umber-brown 

 and different depths of chocolate, particularly at the larger end. The eggs 

 average about 2. 12 by 1.40; they are from one to three in number. This 

 beautiful gull often breeds in communities of large extent, in marshes 

 and wooded swamps, making its nest of wet grasses and sedges on the top 

 of broken down stalks. 



675. Bonaparte's Gull — larus Philadelphia. Varying from greenish 

 to brown, spotted and blotched with brown, umber and lilac of various 

 shades; an egg is described as measuring 1.80 by 1.30. The eggs are 

 rare and scarcely known. This little Gull is one of the most graceful and 



