KEY TO THP: water BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



■93 



LARUS ATRICILLA Linn. 

 Laughing Gull. 





Adult in sum nicy : Head and throat pluni= 



beous ; rest of upper parts pearl gray : under 

 parts white : bill reddish. 



Adult in winter : Head white marked with 

 ash gray; throat white. 



Length, I6.5O; Wing, I2.5O; Tail, 5 ; Bill, 

 I-75- 



This species has a wide breeding 

 range, extending from Maine to the 

 Gulf of Mexico. It is resident and 

 breeds in Florida. The nest is built 

 on the ground in marshy places, and 

 the eggs, usually four or five, are 

 grayish or pale brownish, blotched 

 with chocolate brown. 



LARUS PHILADELPHIA {Ord). 

 Bonaparte's QuII. 



head and neck plumbeous : 



Adult in summer : Bill black: 

 feet orange red ; tail white. 



Adult in winter: Head and neck white: top of the head 

 grayish ; feet flesh color. 



Immature birds have a white tail with subterminal band of 

 black. 

 \ Length, I3.5O : Wing. 10.40 ; Tail. 4.15 ; Bill. 1.30. 



North America, south in winter to Central 



America and West Indies. Common in Florida 



in winter. Breeds far northward. 



built in small trees or bushes. 



spots. 



Nest composed of brush and grass 

 Eggs four, pale olive, marked with brown 



