LAUGHING GULL. 151 



LAUGHING GULL. 



PLATE CCXXIII. FIGURE I. 



Larus atridlla, MONTAGU. FLEMING. 



Xema atridlla, GOULD. 



present species builds in marshy places near 

 -*- the sea-shore. Meyer asserts that during fine 

 weather this bird sits on the eggs only at night, leaving 

 the breeding-place early in the morning for the purpose 

 of feeding; but that, when the weather is wet or cold, 

 she remains on the eggs, and takes care of them also 

 during the day. 



The nest is made of dry grass and sea-weeds, 

 arranged to a height of two or three inches, the interior 

 being from four and a half to five inches wide, and 

 one and a half deep. 



Audubon mentions a curious instance of two nests 

 being built as it were into one; each pair of birds, 

 both male and female, living in the closest companion- 

 ship, in both senses of the word. In some instances 

 the sand alone is hollowed into a nest. 



The eggs are three in number at the most; their 

 usual colour is brownish olive, spotted and blotted 

 with dull reddish brown, the said markings being most 

 numerous about the larger end. They are considered 

 very good to eat. 



