244 



LONG-WINGED SWIMMEli.S - LONGlPENNliS. 



11' 



• 



U:M 



I m ■' 'I 



:irti« 



Captain Bendire mentions finding this a very common species on Lake Malheur, 

 in Eastern Oregon, where it breeds abundantly. 



Mr. Ridgway found it in large luunbers on I'yramid Lake, as well as on Great 

 Salt Iiake. It nested in immense numbers upon the islands in both of these lakes, and 

 fed chiefly about the moutlis of the streams flowing into them — often ascending tlic 

 large rivers for some distance. The birds were found there only in summer, during 

 which season no other species of Gull was seen in the sanre localities; while in win- 

 ter this species was entirely replaced by L. (Irlitwarritsls. In Great Salt Lake it 

 nested almost, if not quite, exclusively on Carrington Island; and in Pyramid Lake, 

 on the main island. It was on the latter that Mr. Uidgway became best aciquaintcd 

 with the species ; for during his several visits in the month of INlay, 18G8, he found 

 it exceedingly abundant on the northwest side, which was occupied by this CJuU as 

 its breeding-ground. An area of several acres was thickly crowded with the nests, 

 which were mere heaps of dirt and gravel, mingled with rubbish ot sticks, bones, and 

 feathers, raised a few inches above the surface, and with a slight depression on tlic 

 top. By far the larger number of these nests were placed upon rocks ; but some on 

 the tops of stunted sage or on greasewood bushes. 



The eggs were from one to five in number, but usiuiUy three or four. When the 

 nesting-ground was invaded, the Gulls flew reluctantly from their nests — some cir- 

 cling about overhead, and others perching upon the ledges of rock, all uttering 

 deafening cries. The eggs were used for food during the stay of the party at the lake, 

 and were highly esteemed by all, being very rich, and entirely free from the disagree- 

 able musky odor and toughness of the eggs of some Geese and Ducks. 



This colony of Gulls was a great pest to the Pelicans, and their eggs had been 

 twice destroyed by the latter during the season. 



In the collection of the Smithsonian Institution are numerous examples of tlic 

 eggs of this species from the neighborhood of Great Slave Lake. Specimens of tlic 

 birds and eggs were secured near Fort Pesolution by Mr. Kennicott, and also by Mr. 

 Mackenzie; and others Avere taken by Mr. B. Ross at Fort Simpson, and at Big Island 

 by Mr. J. Reid. These Gulls were also found breeding on the Lower Anderson River 

 by Mr. MacFarlane. 



Six eggs (Smithsonian Collection, No. 4220), collected by ^Mr. Ridgway at Pyramid 

 Livke, present the following variations in their measurement: 2.50 inches by 1.90; 

 2.55 by L65; 2.60 by 1.95; 2.65 by 1.85; and 2.70 by 1.75. Tlie ground-colors of 

 these eggs vary from a bluish white, without anj- markings whatever, to a deep brown- 

 ish clay-color, with numerous spots of brownish slate and dark dove-brown. In a few 

 examples the subdued spots of lilac and slate predominate ; in others they are over- 

 lain with the darker brown : some of these are in blotches, others are in zigzag lines. 



Larus delawarensia 



T^E BIHO-BILLED OULL. 



Larus delawaremis, Onn, Gutlirie'.s Geog. 2J Am. ed. 1815, 319. — Lawu. in Bnird's B. N. Am. 



18.58, 846. — Raikd, Cat. N. Am. H. 1859, no. 664. — Coues, Key, 1872, 313; f'licck I.U, 



1873, no. 548 ; 2d ed. 1882, no. 778 ; B. N. W. 1874, 636. — Sau.vders, P. z! S. 1878, 170. - 



RiDOW. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, no. 669. 

 Larus carnts, Bonap. Specc. Comp. 1827, 69 (not of Linn. 1758). 

 ? Larus argentutoides, " Bkehm," Bonap. Synop. 1828, 360 (not of Bhehm, 1822). 

 Larus zonorhynclim,\\ic\iKi\moyi, F. B. A. II. 1831, 421. —Aud. Oin. Biog. III. 1835, 98; V. 



1839, 638, 1)1. 212 ; Synop. 1839, 327 ; B. Am. VII. 1844, 152, pi. 446. 

 Oavina Bruchii, Bonap. Nanm. IV. 1854, 212. 

 Lams Miwrhynchus, var. mcxicanus, Bonap. Cowsp. II. 1857, 224. 



