IQ2 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



LARUS ARGENTATU5 SMITHSONIANUS Coi/cs. 

 American Herring Gull. 



White near end of outer primary separated 

 from the white tip by a band of black. 

 ^^Q^ " .4c?'//'/////j//w///(Vv Back pearl gray; head, 



neck, and under parts white; in winter the 

 adult has the head and neck streaked with 

 ashy g^ray. First primary tipped with white 

 with a subterminal band of black ; this, in 

 turn, is followed by a white band and then 

 another black one. 



Iiniiiaturc : (General plumage mottled pale 

 brown or buff. 



Length, 24 : Wing. 17.50: Tail. 7.50: Bill. 

 2.10. 



The European species. Lams argeutatiis. 

 is very similar, but has the two white marks 

 at tip of primary joined and not separated by the black. 



Ranges throughout North America : common in Florida in winter. It 

 breeds from Maine northward. Nest constructed of grass or seaweed, 

 usually on the ground ; eggs brownish white, lined and blotched with dark 

 brown. 



LARUS DELAWARENSI5 Onl. 

 Ring-billed Gull. 



^^ 



f 

 J* 



Adult in sitiiiiiicr : Bill yellowish 

 banded with black; mantle pearl gray ; 

 feet pale yellow or greenish ; lirst primary 

 lilack with a subterminal white spot. In 

 winter, head and neck streaked with 

 dusky ; band on bill less distinct. 

 ^ ' Iinmatitre : General plumage mottled 



4 gray or buff gray : bill yellowish tipped 



with black. 



Length, 18.40 : Wing. 14 : Tail, 6 : Bill. 

 1.65. 



Ranges throughout North 

 America, in winter south to Gulf 

 of Mexico. Not uncommon in Plorida. Nests on the ground : eggs pale 

 buff marked with chocolate brown. 



