46 BIRDS OF SOUTH DAKOTA 
PAMILY LARIDAD “GULES AND TERNS 
51. Herrinc Guu (Larus Argentatus.) 
The largest of our Gulls. Though only migrants in South 
Dakota these fine birds are quite common for a few days in the 
spring, feeding on dead fish and garbage along the Missouri 
River. Head, neck and belly white; back and wings gray, with 
white spots on the end of the larger black wing feathers; feet 
webbed; young streaked with gray over the entire body. They 
breed from the Great Lakes northward. 
54. RING-BILLED GULL (Larus delawarensis.) 
Some seasons this Gull is quite common in migration. It 
is doubtful, however, if it nests in our State at present. It has 
been reported as nesting abundantly on an island in Devil’s 
Lake, North Dakota. Head, neck, and under parts nearly white; 
back gray; largest wing feathers black, with spots on tips; bill 
greenish, with black band near tip. The plumage of this Gull 
is very similar to that of the Herring Gull but the bird is 
smaller, ; 
59. FRANKLIN’s GULL (Larus franklini.) 
The most common of the Gulls in South Dakota. They 
migrate from the south in May and are seen in flocks hovering 
over sloughs and fields, the birds occasionally darting to the 
surface of the water or to the ground for a choice morsel. This 
is the Gull that follows the plowman and frequently lights in the 
furrow to hunt for grubs and other insects. Head and neck 
black; breast white; back and wings bluish gray to black on 
larger wing feathers, which have white tips. They nest around 
sloughs in the northeastern part of the State. 
Most of the Gulls of North America inhabit the seacoast, 
but the three just described spend part of the summer in the in- 
terior and are of great economic value as scavengers and insect 
destroyers. 
No man should be guilty of shooting a Gull under any 
conditions. It is not edible, and its food during the entire year 
consists of destructive insects and dead animal matter found on 
or near water. 
