NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 31 



large series of these eggs; sizes from 2.00 to 2.28 long by 1.50 to 

 1.65 broad. 



59. Larus franklinii Sw. & Rich. [674.] 



Franklin's Gull. 



Hab. Interior of North America, breeding from the northern border of the United States northward; 

 south in winter to Central and South America. 



In North America this Gull is confined to the interior, chiefly west 

 of the Mississippi, breeding from the northern border of the United 

 States northward. Mr. J. W. Preston found it nesting in the marshes 

 of western Minnesota, about the middle of May.* I am informed by 

 Mr. H. J. Wallace that it breeds abundantly in the marshes of the Red 

 River Valley of Western Manitoba. He found this beautiful Gull 

 breeding in large communities, in marshes and wooded swamps, 

 making its nest of wet grasses and sedges on the tops of broken down 

 stalks. 



The eggs are described as closely resembling those of the Eskimo 

 Curlew in size, shape and color, though the dark splashes are more 

 evenly distributed over the surface. The ground-color varies from 

 dirty white to olive-drab and light brown, with all the shades of the 

 lighter tints of green and ashy. They are usually marked with numer- 

 ous and bold splashes and zigzag lines of umber-brown and different 

 depths of chocolate, particularly at the larger end. The eggs average 

 about 2.12 X 1.40 ; they are three in number. 



Three eggs in my possession, collected at Heron Lake, Minnesota, 

 on the 9th of May, measure as follows: 2.06x1.41, 1.98x1.45, 2.03 x 

 1.47. These are olive-drab with bold spots and blotches of light and 

 dark brown ; there are no zigzag lines. 



60. Larus Philadelphia (Ord.) [675.] 



Bonaparte's Gull. 



Hab. Entire North America, breeding chiefly north of the United States; south in winter to Mexico 

 and Central America. 



This handsome little Gull is a common species throughout North 

 America, from the Atlantic to the Pacific coasts. It is especially abun- 

 dant along the Atlantic coast during its periods of migration. Breeds 

 northward, nearly to the Arctic Ocean. Its flight is described as being 

 light, airy and very graceful, resembling that of the Terns. Its prin- 

 cipal food is small fish. On many of the large lakes and marshes in 

 the prairie regions of Manitoba it breeds in great numbers, from thence 

 northward and throughout all parts of the Fur Countries it is found 

 breeding in suitable places. In the marshes of the wooded regions 

 bordering the Mackenzie River it breeds in the latter part of June. 



♦Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. XL, pp. 54-55. 



