LAUGHING GULL. 



black-headed gull. 



Larus atricilla. 



Char. Mantle deep slaty gray ; head and neck dark brownish slate ; 

 outer wing-feathers black ; tail and under parts white, slightly tinged with 

 pale pink ; bill and feet dull red. 



In winter the under parts lose the pink tint, and the head is white. 

 Length about i6 inches. 



N'est. On a grassy island, hid amid a tussock of sedges or in the sand 

 of a sea-beach ; a slight depression in the turf lined with fine grass. 



Eggs. 3-5; dull white or pale slate tinged with green or blue, marked 

 profusely with brown and lilac; average size about 2.20 X 155. 



This species, very common in most parts of America, is also 

 frequent in Europe, particularly in the warmer parts, as the 

 coasts of Sicily, Spain, and the islands of the Mediterranean ; 

 elsewhere in that continent it is rare and accidental. In 

 America it is found as far south as Cayenne and Mexico, but 

 does not appear to inhabit far north of the limits of the Union. 

 On the coast of New Jersey it makes its appearance in the 

 latter part of April, and is soon discovered by its familiar- 



