38 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES [Proc. 4th Ser. 



Island, the birds were nesting, and an incubated ^gg was ob- 

 tained. These specimens may be safely said to exemplify the 

 breeding-plumage of the species. 



The examination of twenty-one adults from Daphne Island 

 and northern Indefatigable, latter November, proves that the 

 birds are in fresh plumage. Feather-growth is attested in 

 many by the presence of pin-feathers in the back and the 

 breast, and by the sheaths at the base of the distal primaries. 

 Evidently the rectrices in this species are entirely renewed be- 

 fore the distal primary is fully grown. The question of 

 whether the moult just being completed is postnuptial or pre- 

 nuptial again comes to the front. The only light on the nest- 

 ing of this gull on Daphne is as follows : "Mr. Beck found 

 it very common on Daphne Island, where it was preparing for 

 nesting by the end of March."^ 



Twenty-two adults taken on Hood Island in early Febru- 

 ary, when nesting operations were at their height, for the 

 most part show more or less wear. In a few cases pin-feath- 

 ers are appearing in the interscapular region, but they are 

 appearing more commonly in the white under parts. These 

 pin-feathers evidently indicate the beginning of the postnuptial 

 moult. 



Of a pair of birds, taken at sea on April 24 off southwest 

 Albemarle, the male is in worn adult plumage, and exhibits no 

 new feathers. The female. No. 1675, is apparently an immature 

 bird coming into its first adult plumage. Whether the moult 

 is prenuptial or postnuptial is impossible to say. The feet 

 are much paler than those of full adults. The tail is pure 

 white and the outer rectrices quite worn. The primaries also 

 show wear. Several white feathers in the sides of the head 

 are hidden by the dark ones, while numerous dark feathers 

 are appearing from their sheaths. This individual is evi- 

 dently in a stage somewhat similar to that shown by No. 1721, 

 mentioned below. 



A female with small breeding-organs, taken at sea on May 

 8, is in rather worn plumage, and shows new dark feathers 

 replacing the old ones of the crown. 



Three adults with enlarged reproductive organs were taken 

 at Hood Island about the first of July, the opening of a nest- 



iRothschild and Hartert, Nov. Zool., v. 9. p. 412. 



