THE LAUGHING GULL. 535 



The Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia), a much larger species 

 even than the Royal Tern of the South Atlantic, must be 

 found on the coast of Nova Scotia in the migrations, for it 

 breeds far to the north, and "must be considered a regular 

 visitor every season, and one by no means uncommon," 

 on the New England Coast, 



THE LAUGHING GULL, 



Amidst the clouds of Terns on Flat Island could be seen 

 some eight or ten Black-headed or Laughing Gulls (Larus 

 atricilla). They generally arose from and kept near a slaty 

 ridge which ran lengthwise through the island, and from 

 their greater size, more robust form, and complete black or 

 dark plumbous head, were very conspicuous among their 

 smaller and more delicately formed neighbors. Its digni- 

 fied, buzzard-like sailing, too, amidst the constantly moving 

 wings around it, marked it as a Gull. From the hoarse 

 clatter of the Terns, one could distinguish its long-drawn, 

 clear note, on a high key, sounding not unlike the more 

 excited call-note of the Domestic Goose; and every now" 

 and then it would give its prolonged, weird laughter, which 

 has given rise to its common name. To one who has heard 

 it, it might be imitated by the syllables, halt-ha-ha-ha-ha- 

 hah-hah~hah, all of which are uttered on a high, dear tone, 

 the last three or four syllables, and especially the last one, 

 being drawn out with peculiar and prolonged effect; the 

 whole sounding like the odd and excited laughter of an 

 Indian Squaw, and giving marked propriety to the name of 

 the bird. I was much surprised to find this so-called 

 southern species so far north. Mr. Everett Smith, of Port- 

 land, Maine, had given me no encouragement as to finding 

 it about the coast of that State; and Mr. J. N. Clark, of 

 Saybrook, Conn., thought it but an uncertain resident in 



