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men, white ; rump and tail-feathers, white, tinged with light bluish- 

 gray ; bill and feet greenish-black ; in other respects the same as in 

 spring. This description was taken from an adult specimen shot 

 in the early part of September. Length seventeen inches, wing 

 twelve inches and a quarter. 



This handsome Gull arrives on the shores of Long Island in the 

 latter part of April. It is quite a common species, and well known 

 by the name of Laughing Gull, so called from its notes resembling 

 the coarse laugh of a human being. 



During summer it is observed along the eastern coast of the Uni- 

 ted States, but as it does not occupy a place in the Fauna Boreali 

 Americana, we may infer that its migration does not extend far be. 

 yond the limits of the Union. It breeds on Long Island. The 

 eggs, which are three in number, of a brownish color, marked and 

 blotched with a blackish-brown, are found on the low islands in the 

 South Bay. They are dropped on the grass with but little or no pre- 

 paration of a nest ; like the rest of the Gulls it is exceedingly watch- 

 ful and timid, though very courageous when defending its young. 

 It is frequently observed fishing and making asrial excursions in 

 company with (S. hirurdo) the Common Tern. 



LANUS BONAPARTII— RICHARDSON. 



BONAPARTE'S GULL. 



Lams capistratus, Bonap. Syn. 



Lams Bonapartii, Bonapartian Gull, Sw. & Rich. 



Bonapartian Gull, Nutt Man. 



Bonapartian Gull, Lams Bonapartii, Aud. Orn. Biog. 



Specific Character — Bill black, rather slender ; from the frontlet 

 feathers to the end about one inch and an eighth, tarsi one and a 

 quarter ; outer vane of the first primary black. Adult with the 

 head and upper portion of the neck all round grayish-black; lower 

 part of the neck, under parts, rump, and tail feathers pure white ; 

 back and wings light grayish-blue ; outer web of the first quill 

 black, the inner web, with the shafts of all, and outer vanes of the 

 second, third, and fourth, white, the inner webs as well as both webs 

 of the inner quills of the same color as the back — those of the inner 



