30 BIRDS OF NORTH CAROLINA 



impact. If the first attempt fails to produce the desired result, the performance is 

 repeated. Pearson once observed a Herring Gull at Beaufort make sixteen unsuc- 

 cessful attempts to break a clam in this manner, the beach evidently being too soft 

 for success. 



Herring Gulls are abundant winter residents on our coast, and have increased 

 noticeably in numbers of recent years, doubtless a result of the protection afforded 

 them by the wardens of the National Association of Audubon Societies at their 

 northern breeding-grounds. 



13. Larus delawarensis (Ord.). RING-BILLED GULL. 



Ads. in summer. Back and wings pearl-gray; first primary black, with a white spot near 

 tip, base of the inner half of the inner web pearl-gray; second primary black, the basal half of 

 inner web pearl-gray; on the third to sixth primaries the black decreases rapidly, and each 

 one is tipped with white; rest of plumage pure white; bill greenish yellow with a black band 

 in front of the nostril. Ads. in winter. Similar to above, but head and nape streaked with 

 grayish. Im. Upperparts varying from ashy fuscous, the feathers margined with whitish, 

 to pearl-gray, the feathers more or less mottled, spotted, or, on head and neck, streaked with 

 ashy. (Chap., Birds of E. N. A.\ 



Range. North America, breeding from the northernmost tier of States northward; winters 

 from the Great Lakes to Cuba. 



Range in North Carolina. Coastal region, mainly in winter: occasionally inland. 



FIG. 9. RIXG-BILLED GULL. 



The Ring-billed Gull is found on the coast, and also occurs inland, where it feeds 

 upon insects, many of which it captures on the wing. Bishop states that it has 

 been recorded from Pea Island, July 23 to August 20, 1904, and April 27 to May 15, 

 1906. Two were taken by N. E. Gould at Pea Island in January, 1908. "They 

 seem to be both a summer and winter resident here at Pea Island, but are far more 

 numerous from October 1 until the middle of November. Comparatively few 

 remain during the winter." (Letter from N. E. Gould.) A pair was taken by 

 Cairns near Asheville, November, 1889. They do not breed in North Carolina. 



14. Larus atricilla (Linn.). LAUGHING GULL. 



Description: Ads. in summer. Back and wings dark pearl-gray; primaries black, inner ones 

 with small white tips; the whole head and throat are a deep slate-color; rest of plumage, in- 

 cluding nape, pure white, breast sometimes suffused by a delicate peach-blossom tint; bill 



