THE GULLS. 539 



others about three inches ; they taper slight!}', varying but little in breadth until near 

 the end, where they are abruptly acuminated, differing in this particular from all the 

 other species. 



Length, twenty to twenty-two inches; wing, thirteen and a half; tail, eight and 

 a half; bill, one and four-twelfths ; tarsi, one and three-quarter inches. 



Hab. — Arctic America; breeds in the Barren Grounds; coast of the United 

 States from New York northward. 



This species is much more common on our coast in 

 winter than the other. Its habits are the same, and its 

 breeding-place is also in the far north. Its eggs are three 

 in number. They are broadly ovoidal in form, and much 

 resemble the eggs of the Laughing Gull. Their primary 

 color varies from a greenish-drab to the predominating 

 olivaceous-green. This is marked with spots and blotches 

 of various shades of brown, thickest at the greater end, 

 and some spots of obscure-purple. The dimensions vary 

 from 2.25 by 1.60 inch to 2.18 by 1.54. 



Suh-Family Labin^. — The Gulls. 



Bill differing considerably in strength and form; generally straight, with the 

 sides compressed ; the culmen straight at the base, with the end curved ; nostrils 

 lateral and oblong ; wings long and pointed ; tail usually even, in two or three cases 

 pointed or forked ; tarsi rather strong ; fore-toes united by a web ; hind toe short and 

 elevated. 



These birds vary much in size, some being quite small, while others rank among 

 the largest of marine birds. They are not peculiar to any region, but are found 

 abundantly over the world. They congregate in great numbers on the sand-bars at 

 the entrance of inlets and large bays. In winter they migrate in search of food, 

 frequenting harbors and ascending rivers. 



The above general descriptions of the habits of our Gulls 

 are so comprehensive and terse that I will add nothing at 

 length to them here. They feed on fish (which they often 

 seize in their bills in the water), various aquatic animals, 

 and dead animal matter thrown up on the shores or floating 

 on the waves. They attack and kill wounded birds, and 

 eat them, and also drive aquatic birds from their eggs and 



