182 THE GULLS 



the Lena in latitude 71 N. Moreover, M. N. Ssmirnow, during his 

 voyage in the ex-trawler Pomor from March to August 1901, kept a 

 diary of the birds observed by him while cruising in the Kara Sea 

 and the Arctic Ocean between Novaya Zemlya and the North Cape 

 (sometimes known as Barents Sea). Off the Murman coast and the 

 entrance to the White Sea, Iceland-gulls were observed at various 

 dates between March 20 and April 17. Still more remarkable is the 

 occurrence of this species off Kolguev on June 18, 23, and 25, while 

 on the southern island of Novaya Zemlya not only were birds 

 observed early in July, but a nest, which apparently contained 

 eggs, on an inaccessible pinnacle of slate, was found on July 3, and 

 both parents shot. 1 As glaucous-gulls were also met with at most of 

 these localities, it is difficult to understand how there could possibly 

 be any confusion of the two species in this case. On the other hand 

 Colonel Feilden, who accompanied Mr. H. J. Pearson on his voyages 

 to these seas, and who is thoroughly acquainted with the Icelander, 

 informs me that neither he nor his companions ever saw a single gull 

 which could even doubtfully be ascribed to this species. At any rate, 

 the question of its occurrence in the Palsearctic region is one which 

 deserves investigation, and, while further corroboration is needed 

 before M. Ssmirnow's identification can be accepted, the problems of 

 distribution cannot be solved by merely ignoring them, as is too 

 frequently the case. 



With regard to the breeding-habits of this gull, little has been 

 recorded. On Jan Mayen the nests were placed on low ledges, often 

 scarcely projecting above high-water mark, 2 but there is evidence that 

 it is also frequently found breeding on the tops of lofty cliffs. Thus 

 in Greenland about a thousand pairs breed on a cliff overlooking the 

 fjord near Ivigtut, about 2500 feet above the water, according to 

 Hagerup. If the nests ascribed by Dall to this species are correctly 

 assigned, the nests on the Lower Yukon were mere depressions in the 

 sand. The eggs are two, or more frequently three, in number, and are 



1 Omithologische Jahrbuch, 1901, p. 201. * Zoologist, 1890, 50. 



