216 



LONG-WINGED SWLMMEUS — LONGIPENNES. 



carcases on the killing-grouiuls of the fur-seal. At Wah-us Ishuul it is resident 

 throughout the season, ami hiys its eggs in neiit nests built of sea-ferns and dry grass, 

 placed among the grassy tussocks on the centre of the island. Though it is sonic- 

 times driven by tlie ice to the open water fifty to a hundred miles south, it returns 

 immediately after the floe disappears. It lays as early as the first of June, deposit- 

 ing tliree eggs usually within a week or ten days. These eggs are large, spherically 

 oval, having a dark grayish-brown ground, with irregular patches of darker brown- 

 ish black. They vary somewhat in size, but the shape and pattern of coloring is 

 (piite constant. 



The young IJurgomaster comes from its shell, after an incubation of three Aveeks, 

 in a pure-white thick coat of down, which is speedily supjilanted by a brownisli-bliuk 

 and gray plumage, with which the bird takes flight — having at that time nearly the 

 size of the parent-bird. This dark coat becomes within tlu^ next three months ncnirly 

 white, with the lavender-gray back of the adult. The legs change from a iiaUs gray- 

 ish tone to the rich yellow of the mature condition; and the bill also jiasses from a 

 dull-brown color to a bright yellow, with red spots on the lower mandible. 



This Gull has a loud shrill cry, which soon beconu's very monotonous from its 

 constant repetition. It also utters a low chattering croak while sailing around the 

 islands. It is a very neat bird about its nest, and keeps its plumage in a condition 

 of snowy purity. It is not seen in such large numbers as are several other species. 

 Li 1872, when Mr. Elliott visited Walrus Island, he estimated that there were not 

 more than five or six hundred nests. 



The egg of this species exhibits the same variations as to the shades of its groiuul- 

 coloring as does that of the urf/oitatits — being of a deep brown clay -color, a \y.ih'. ash, 

 a light pale clay, or a pearly white. The markings, which are small, and not vi'iy 

 numerous, are deep bistre — almost black. The breadth of the egg is usually relatively 

 greater than in other species. 



Lams leucopterus. 



THE WHITE-WINOED OULL. 



Lartm argcntatus, Sadink, Trans. Linn. Soo. XH. 1818, .'ilG (not of niiuNN. 1704). 



Larus leucopterus, Faiikk, PioJr. Isl. Orn. 1822, 91. —Sw. & Kicii. F. H. A. 11.183], 41S. — Xrn. 



Man. II. 1834, 305. — Auu. Oni. liiog. III. 1835, 553, pi. 282; Synoii. 1839, 327; 15. .\ni. 



VII. 1844, 159, pi. 447. —Lawk, in Itiiiid's 15. N. Am. IS.IS, 843. — lUiiii), Cut. N. Am. 1!. 



1859, no. 658. — CoUEs, Key, 1872, 311 ; Check List, 1873, no. 544 ; 2(1 fJ. 1882, no. 769 ; 1!. 



N. W. 1874, 622. — UiDGW. Noni. N. Am. 15. 1881. no. 661. 

 Larxis arcticus, Macgili.. Mem. Wein. See. V. 1824, 268. 

 Lanis ghuicoidcs, "Tkmm." Mkveu, Tasehenb. Viig. Deutschl. IV. 1822, 197. — Tf.mm. PI. Col. "n' 



livr. Introd. Laius, 1828. 

 Lariis islandicus, Edmoxst. Mem. Wein. Soe. IV. 1823, 506 (nee op. cil. p. 185 = L. glaucus). 

 Lams minor, Breum, Viig. Deutschl. 1831, 736. 

 Laroides subleitcoplerus, BliEllM, t. c. 746. 

 iMrus (Glaucus) glacialis, Buucir, J. f. 0. 1853, 101 (nee Macgii.l. 1824). 



Hab. Range about the saniu ns that of L. glaucus. South in winter to coast of Massachusetts. 



Sp. Char. Similar to L. glaucus, but nuich snuiller, tlie young darker c<)lored. Adult, in 

 summer: Mantle pale pearl-blue (a shade darker than in L. glaucus) ; reniiges similar, but sliglitly 

 paler, passing terminally into pure white. Rest of the plumage snow-white. " Bill bright oran;,'i- 

 yellow, tipped with j'ellowish j^reen ; vermilion spot on lower mandible; tarsi and toes ilesli- 

 color ; iris cream-color" (L. Kcmlien, MS.>). Adult, in winter: Similar, but head and nink 



' " Bill gamboge-yellow, with a spot of orange-red near the end of lower mandible ; the angle of tlic 

 mouth and the edges of tlio eyelids are also orange-red. Iris pale yellow. Feet pale flesh-color ; elaw:) 

 grayish blown " (Aububon). 



, 3|l!i 



