Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 493 



6. RING-BILLED GULL 



LARUS DELAWARENSIS Ord 



In general appearance and habits much like the herring gull, 

 and, though smaller in size, not readily distinguishable at a dis- 

 tance except by the trained ornithologist. 



This is a regular migrant in Indiana, and winter resident on 

 Lake Michigan, and perhaps elsewhere in the State. 



A flock of 6 seen September 28, 1900. In the spring of 1901 

 one or more were noted April 4, 5, 6, 14, 15, 18, 19, 22, 23, and 24. 

 Several were seen April 7, 1885. Rarely were more than 2 or 3 

 seen at any one time. They were usually seen flying, but occa- 

 sionally they were observed on the water. When flying, they circle 

 about, often uttering their peculiar harsh cry. The one seen April 

 6 was found dead. 



Like the herring gull this species is chiefly a scavenger and 

 should be protected. 



7. BONAPARTE'S GULL 



LARUS PHILADELPHIA (Ord) 



This handsome little gull is a common species throughout North 

 America, not only on the coasts but in the interior. Its flight is 

 light and graceful as that of a tern. Like the two preceding 

 species it is with us only as a spring and fall migrant. On Lake 

 Michigan it is sometimes a winter resident. At Lake Maxinkuckee 

 it is seen most often in the fall. Several were seen and two speci- 

 mens secured April 7, 1885. In 1899, examples were seen Septem- 

 ber 1, 2, 3, 21 and 29, and on November 1. In 1900, it was seen 

 September 3 ; in 1904, November 4 ; in 1906, September 9 ; and in 

 1913, September 12, and October 11, 12, 21, 22, and 25. The 

 largest number seen at one time was 11 on September 12, 1913. 



In their migrations these graceful birds tarry at the lake only 

 a few days, during which they are usually seen circling about over 

 the water, now and then alighting for a short time. They are 

 most frequently seen in the north end of the lake and particularly 

 on rainy or stormy days in September and October. 



8. FORSTER'S TERN 



STERNA FORSTERI Nnttall 



Spring and fall migrant, not often seen at Maxinkuckee. Ex- 

 amples were seen by us on the Wabash River, near Terre Haute, 

 April 28 and May 19, 1888, and several specimens were taken at 

 Lake Maxinkuckee by Mr. A. B. Ulrey in 1895. 



We have no positive record based on our own observations. 



