BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY. 



99 



close to and positively identified them." On January ist, 1905, a small Gull in 

 brownish gray immature plumage flew over my head at Rockport. It was 

 probably of this species, and it is possible that a few may occur here in winter. 

 The Ring-billed Gull is found alone or in small flocks. They often associ- 

 ate with Herring Gulls and may be seen on the beaches with these large birds, 

 which they resemble closely in habits. They also resemble them closely in the 

 various stages of plumage as already noted under Herring Gull, and although 

 much smaller, in the absence on the sea or beach of standards for comparison it 

 is often difficult to distinguish them from the larger species. The fact that they 

 may fly along the beach directly by or over an observer, without sheering off 

 out of gunshot as do the Herring Gulls has always given me the hint as to the 

 species, for they appear to have a very confiding nature. The young birds are 

 never so slaty gray as the young Herring Gulls. With a glass, or at close 

 range with the naked eye, the marking forming a ring on the bill of the adult 

 can be made out. 



20 [58] Larus atricilla Linn. 

 Laughing Gull ; Black-headed Gull. 



Rare transient visitor. 



Maynard J says: "I have seen the bird late in November at Ipswich." 

 There are two specimens in the Peabody Academy, labeled, respectively, Essex 

 County, 1856, S. Jillson, young; and Lynn, male, 1885, Vickary. The Laugh- 

 ing Gull breeds to the south of Cape Cod, at Muskeget, and although it has been 

 almost exterminated on the Maine coast, it is now, under the auspices of the 

 Audubon Society, reestablishing itself at Metinic Green Island. In Mr. 

 Dutcher's 2 Report of the Committee on Bird Protection for 1903, it is stated 

 that " eight Laughing Gulls were counted at one time, and three nests were 

 found containing eggs" at Metinic Green Island. It ought, therefore, to be 

 seen occasionally on the shores of Essex County as a migrant. 



1 C. J. Maynard: The Naturalist's Guide, p. 151, 1S70. 



2 Wm. Dutcher : Auk, vol. 21, p. 149, 1904. 



