28 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



North America it is a common species of the Northern Pacific, from 

 California to Alaska. It breeds on the islands of the Upper Yukon 

 River, in the first part of May, depositing its eggs in slight depressions 

 of the bare ground. The eggs are not distinguishable from those of 

 the Herring Gull, L. argentatus. 



53. Lams californicus Lawr. [668.] 



California Oull. 



Hab. Western North America. 



The California Gull is found along the Pacific coast in winter, but 

 retires to its breeding places in the summer months. Its breeding 

 grounds seem to be inland, on the lakes and large bodies of water. It 

 breeds abundantly on Great Salt Lake and Pyramid Lake, Utah, and 

 on Lake Malheur, in Eastern Oregon. It has been found nesting as 

 far north as Great Slave Lake, Fort Resolution, Fort Simpson and the 

 Lower Anderson River. The nests of this species are made on the 

 ground, or built on rocks and, sometimes where the birds are breeding 

 in vast colonies, the nests are placed on stunted sage or greasewood 

 bushes. They are built of sticks, grass and a few feathers. The eggs 

 are usually three or four in number, occasionally five. Prof. Marcus 

 E. Jones informs me that at Great Salt Lake this Gull generally lays 

 five eggs. These are deposited in a little bare spot surrounded by a 

 few twigs, the hollow just deep enough to keep the eggs from rolling 

 out. The nests are made on the sand or any other bare spot on islands 

 far out in the lake. The eggs are laid about the middle of May. 

 They vary from a bluish-white to a deep brownish-clay color, spotted 

 and blotched with dark brown, slate and blackish zigzag markings. 

 Sizes range from 2.50 to 2.70 long by 1,65 to 1.95 broad. 



54. Larus delawarensis Ord, [669.] 



Ring-l)illed Oull. 



Hab. North America at large; south in winter to Cuba and Mexico. 



This Gull inhabits the entire Continent of North America, and is, 

 on the whole, the commonest species both coastwise and in the interior. 

 It breeds in the United States and far north, placing its nest on the 

 ground or on clifis. Mr. Stebbins found this species and the Common 

 Tern occupying an island of about an acre in extent in Devils Lake, 

 Dakota, in the first week of June. The entire island was covered with 

 eggs of the gulls and terns. Mr. Stebbins says: "I don't suppose 

 you could lay down a two-foot rule anywhere without each end of it 

 striking a nest. It was common to find the terns and gulls breeding 

 side by side. Most of the gulls' nests were in the grass, while those 



