THE VEGA GULL. 731 
larger gulls, (Larus glaucescens, occidentalis, argentatus, californicus, dela- 
warensis, and brachyrhynchus) is a gradually diminishing area of black upon 
the beak (altho this in its reduced form is an adult characteristic of L. cali- 
fornicus and L. delawarensis). With advancing age gulls tend to become 
lighter in coloration; and in extreme examples (as in the case of certain 
Western Gulls observed at Split Rock) the black wing-tips bleach nearly to 
whiteness, altho the characteristic pattern may still be dimly discerned. 
Size is also a very variable characteristic in the larger gulls, and it is 
impossible to distinguish Larus argentatus from glaucescens on the one hand, 
or californicus on the other, from the standpoint of size alone. 
The Herring Gull begins to return from its northern breeding grounds 
as early as the middle of August. By the 20th of that month large numbers 
of this species gather with congenial spirits upon the tide-flats and sand-bars 
of Blaine, where they gorge themselves upon the waste salmon and offal which 
abounds at that season. The eyes of a salmon are considered great delicacies 
by these birds; but their taste does not halt here, and their presence in 
thousands does much to render tolerable the vicinity of a salmon cannery. 
While in general it may be said that Herring Gulls are common in 
winter on Puget Sound, they appear to hold by preference to the more 
northern ports, such as Bellingham; and their presence depends largely upon 
the season,—the milder the season the fewer the birds. A storm or a cold 
snap as late as January will bring thousands of gulls of this and allied 
species hurrying down from the North, and may altogether change the 
complexion of the local gull fauna. 
No. 293. 
VEGA GULL. 
A. O. U. No. 52. Larus vege (Palmén). 
Description.—Similar to L. argentatus, but mantle darker, ashy gray to 
plumbeous gray. No other differences alleged. 
General Range.—‘‘Bering Sea and adjacent waters south in winter to Cali- 
fornia and Japan” (A. O. U.). 
Range in Washington.—Casual in winter on Puget Sound. 
Authorities.—Dawson, Auk, Vol. XXV. Oct. 1908, p. 484. E(H). 
DOCTORS of Ornithology are still gravely disputing the scientific ex- 
istence of this bird; but we can point them at any time in winter to examples 
in Bellingham harbor, which have very much darker mantles than do ordinary 
Herring Gulls. It is fair enough to presume that this dark-togaed race 
