956 
Family 5. HarMatroropipag. Oystercatchers. 
The only member of this family which is represented in the State is 
' 283. Black Oystercatcher. - 
Family 6. PHataAroropipar. Phalaropes. 
Birds of this group are readily distinguished by the lobate toes. It indicates their habit of spending 
much time on open water swimming readily. Most of them are strikingly colored birds. ~~ 
I. Bill heavy, wider than deep. 284. Red Phalarope. 
II. Bill slender, 
A. Smaller, less than 8 inches long, 285. Northern Phalarope. 
B. Larger, more than 9 inches long. 286. Wilson's Phalarope. 
Orpver 11. LONGIPENNES. Gulls, Terns, Jaegers. 
Family 1. STERCORARIIDAE. Jaegers. 
These are the birds of prey among the gull-like birds. Their bill is strongly hooked, and the birds 
are possessed of great powers of flight. hey steal the catch from the gulls, 
1. Lengthened middle tail feathers broad and rounded. 287. Pomarine Jaeger. 
Il. Lengthened middle tail feathers pointed. 
A. Length about 17 inches. 288. Parasitic Jaeger. 
B. Length about 21 inches. B.C. & H. 20. Long-tailed Jaeger. 
Family 2. Lartpar. Gulls and Terns. 
Subfamily. LARtNAg. Gulls. 
The Gulls differ from the Terns in having a square tail and in carrying the head in a line with the 
body, the bill pointing forward. They are great scavengers, none being in the least harmful. 
I. Length usually over 21 inches. 
A. Larger, back pearl-gray, primaries without black. 
1. Largest, palest, wings broadly white on tip. B.C. & H. 21. Glaucous Gull. 
2. Medium, wing chiefly gray on tip. 
a. Second primary narrowly tipped with white. 290. Glaucous-winged Gull. 
b. Second primary gray to tip. H. 41. Nelson's Gull, 
B. Smaller, back deep pearl gray to plumbeous, wing with 
black on tip. 
1. Black of wing more restricted, mantle plumbeous slate. 291. Western Gull. 
2. Mantle lighter, black of wing more extended. 
a. Smaller, feet yellowish. 294. California Gull. 
b. Larger, feet flesh-colored. 
(1). Mantle deep pearl-gray. 292. Herring Gull. 
(2). Mantle plumbeous gray. 293. Vega Gull. 
Il. Length under 21 inches. 
A. Entirely pure white. B.C. & H. 22. Ivory Gull. 
B. Entire body slaty or sooty black, head and neck white in 297. Heermann’s Gull. 
summer, 
C. Back pearl-gray or brownish; underparts white or lighter. 
1. Tail slightly forked. 299. Sabine’s Gull. 
2. Tail square. 
a. Bill light, a black band across it. 295. Ring-billed Gull. 
b. Bill light, a red spot near its tip. 294. California Gull. 
c. Bill without a black band or red spot. 
(1). Hind toe scarcely more than a knob. 289. Pacitic Kittiwake. 
(2). Hind toe short but well developed. 
(a). Length more than 16 inches. 
(at). Gray wedge on inner web of third quill 296. Short-billed Gull. 
terminated with white. 
(b'). Wedge not terminated with white. H. 42. Mew Gull, 
(b). Length about 14 inches. 298. Bonaparte’s Gull. 
