46 BIRDS OF SOUTH DAKOTA 



FAMILY LARIM:. GULLS AND TERNS 



51. HERRING GULL (Larus Argentatus.) 



The largest of our Gulls. Though only migrants in South 

 Dakota these fine birds are quite common for a few days in the 

 spring, feeding on dead fish and garbage along the Missouri 

 River. Head, neck and belly white ; back and wings gray, with 

 white spots on the end of the larger black wing feathers; feet 

 webbed ; young streaked with gray over the entire body. They 

 breed from the Great Lakes northward. 



54. RING-BILLED GULL (Larus delawarensis.) 



Some seasons this Gull is quite common in migration. It 

 is doubtful, however, if it nests in our State at present. It has 

 been reported as nesting abundantly on an island in Devil's 

 Lake, North Dakota. Head, neck, and under parts nearly white ; 

 back gray; largest wing feathers black, with spots on tips; bill 

 greenish, with black band near tip. The plumage of this Gull 

 is very similar to that of the Herring Gull but the bird is 

 smaller. 



59. FRANKLIN'S GULL (Larus franklini.) 



The most common of the Gulls in South Dakota. They 

 migrate from the south in May and are seen in flocks hovering 

 over sloughs and fields, the birds occasionally darting to the 

 surface of the water or to the ground for a choice morsel. This 

 is the Gull that follows the plowman and frequently lights in the 

 furrow to hunt for grubs and other insects. Head and neck 

 black; breast white; back and wings bluish gray to black on 

 larger wing feathers, which have white tips. They nest around 

 sloughs in the northeastern part of the State. 



Most of the Gulls of North America inhabit the seacoast, 

 but the three just described spend part of the summer in the in- 

 terior and are of great economic value as scavengers and insect 

 destroyers. 



No man should be guilty of shooting a Gull under any 

 conditions. It is not edible, and its food during the entire year 

 consists of destructive insects and dead animal matter found on 

 or near water. 



