— 
THE GULLS. 539 
others about three inches; they taper slightly, varying but little in breadth until near 
the end, where they are abruptly acuminated, differing in this particular from all the 
other species. 
Length, twenty to twenty-two inches; wing, thirteen and a half; tail, eight and 
a half; bill, one and four-twelfths; tarsi, one and three-quarter inches. 
Hab. — Arctic America; breeds in the Barren Grounds; coast of the United 
States from New York northward. 
This species is much more common on our coast in 
winter than the other. Its habits are the same, and its 
breeding-place is also in the far north. Its eggs are three 
in number. They are broadly ovoidal in form, and much 
resemble the eggs of the Laughing Gull. Their primary 
color varies from a greenish-drab to the predominating 
olivaceous-green. This is marked with spots and blotches 
of various shades of brown, thickest at the greater end, 
and some spots of obscure-purple. The dimensions vary 
from 2.25 by 1.60 inch to 2.18 by 1.54. 
Sub-Family Larinz.— The Gulls. 
Bill differing considerably in strength and form; generally straight, with the 
sides compressed; the culmen straight at the base, with the end curved; nostrils 
lateral and oblong; wings long and pointed; tail usually even, in two or three cases 
pointed or forked; tarsi rather strong; fore-toes united by a web; hind toe short and 
elevated. 
These birds vary much in size, some being quite small, while others rank among 
the largest of marine birds. They are not peculiar to any region, but are found 
abundantly over the world. They congregate in great numbers on the sand-bars at 
the entrance of inlets and large bays. In winter they migrate in search of food, 
frequenting harbors and ascending rivers. 
The above general descriptions of the habits of our Gulls 
are so comprehensive and terse that I will add nothing at 
length to them here. They feed on fish (which they often 
seize in their bills in the water), various aquatic animals, 
and dead animal matter thrown up on the shores or floating 
on the waves. They attack and kill wounded birds, and 
eat them, and also drive aquatic birds from their eggs and 
