30 EiRDS OF XORTH CAROLINA 



impact. If the first attempt fails to produce the desired result, the jjerformance is 

 repeated. Pearson once observed a Herring Gull at Beaufort make si.\teen unsuc- 

 cessful attempts to l^reak a clam in this manner, the beach evidently l)eing too soft 

 for success. 



Herring Gulls are abundant winter residents on our coast, and have increased 

 noticeably in numbers of recent years, doubtless a result of the protection afTorded 

 them by the wardens of the National Association of Audubon Societies at their 

 northern breeding-grounds. 



/ 



13. Larus delawarensis {Ord.}. Ring-billed (Iull. 



Ads. in summer. — Back and wings pearl-gray; first primary blark, with a white spot near 

 tip, base of tlie inner half of the inner web pearl-gray; seeond primary black, the ba.sal half of 

 inner web ])narl-gray ; on the third to sixth ]H-iniaries the black decreases rapidly, and each 

 one is tipped with white; rest of plumage pure white; bill greenish yellow with a black band 

 in front of the nostril. Ads. in winter. — Similar to above, but head and nai><> streaked with 

 grayish. Im. — Upperparts varying from ashy fuscous, the feathers margined with whitish, 

 to pearl-gray, the feathers more or less mottled, spotted, or, on licad and neck, streaked with 

 a.shy. (Chap., /imiso/£. iV. .4.) 



Range. — North America, breeding from the northernmost tier of States northward; winters 

 from the Great Lakes to Cuba. 



Range in North Carolina. — Coastal region, mainly in winter; occasionally inland. 



(?) 



Fig. 9. Rixc-uiLLKD Gill. 



The Ring-billed Gull is found on the coast, and also occurs inland, where it feeds 

 upon insects, many of which it captures on the wing. Bishop states that it has 

 been recorded from Pea Islantl, July 23 to August 20, 1904, and Ai)ril 27 to May 15, 

 1906. Two were taken by N. E. Gould at Pea Island in January, 1908. "They 

 seem to l)e both a summer and winter resident here at Pea Island, but are far more 

 numerous from Octoljer 1 until the middle of Xoveml)er. Comparatively few 

 remain tluring the winter."— (Letter from N. E. Gould.) A pair was taken by 

 Cairns near Ashevilie, November, 1889. They do not lirced in North Carolina. 



14. Larus atricilla (Linn.). L.vraHi.NO (!ull. 



Deserijitiim: .b/.s. /// summer. — Back and wings dark pearl-gray; primaries black, iiuier ones 

 with small white ti|)s; the whole head and throat are a deep slate-color; rest of plumage, in- 

 cluding nape, pure white, breast sometimes sulTused by a delicate peach-blossom tint; bill 



