134 NKW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



describes its call as "a long-drawn, clear note on a high ke\-, sounding not 

 unlike the more excited call note of the domestic goose ; and every now and 

 then it would give its prolonged weird laughter, which has given rise to its 

 common name. To one who has heard it, it might be imitated by the 

 s},-llables hah-ha-ha-ha-ha, hah-hah-hah-hah-hah, all of which are uttered on 

 a high, clear tone, the last three or four syllables, and especially the last 

 one, being drawn out with peculiar and prolonged efifect." 



Larus Philadelphia (Ord) 

 Bonaparte Gull 



Plate 6 



Sterna Philadelphia Ord. Guthrie's Geography, Am. Ed. 2. 1815. 2:319 

 Larvisbonapartii DeKay. Zool. N. Y. 1844. pt 2, p. 311, fig. 287, 288 

 Larus Philadelphia A. O. U. Check List. Ed. 2. 1895. No. 60 



philadel' phia , the city of Philadelphia, Pa. 



Description. Head and throat blackish slate-color; neck, under parts 

 and tail pure white; breast and belly with rosy tinge; white patch on the 

 under and upper eyelid ; back and wings light pearl-gray ; primaries mostl}' 

 white with black tips, the outer webs of the first and second margined with 

 black; bill black; feet orange-red; iris dark brown; eyeUds and mouth car- 

 mine. In winter: Head and throat white, washed on the back of the head 

 with grayish; no rosy tinge below; feet flesh-color; dusky spot in front of 

 eye and below the ear. First winter plumage: Similar to the adult in 

 winter, but the ear spot more distinct ; scapulars, wing coverts and second- 

 aries varied with dusky brown; tail with a subterminal blackish bar; bill 

 dusky flesh-color tipped with black; feet pale flesh -color. 



Length 12-15 inches; extent 32-34; wing 10-10. 5; tail 4; bill 1.2; 

 gape 1.75; depth of bill at nostril .25; tarsus 1.4; niddle toe and claw 1.4. 



Distinctive marks. In plate 6 the distinctive wing pattern and 

 head colors of this species, both in the mature and irhmature specimens, 

 are clearly shown. An immature Kittiwake is sometimes mistaken for 

 this species, but the former may be recognized by its dark feet with no 

 hind toe, the dusky band across the back of its head and its different wing 

 pattern. The young Laughing gull is much darker on the wing tips and 

 upper parts, is larger, and has a much larger bill and legs. 



