8 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



ined any stomachs, though I have caught numerous small fishes 

 in the verj'^ locations from which the birds were driven on num- 

 erous occasions. Such fishes were largely small cyprinoids, etc. 

 (Abramis crysoleucas, Notropis bifrenatus, Notropis whipplii analos- 

 tanus, Notropis cornutus, Notropis chalybaeus, and Erimyzon sucetta 

 oblongus). It is reasonably certain that most of these, as well 

 as some others, are devoured. 



Loon (Gaviaimmer). About our inland lakes solitary birds, 

 or pairs, are usually seen. In rivers nearer the coast, small 

 flocks often occur. The loon is mostly found in the Delaware 

 River tidal regions in the spring and fall. Though a shy and 

 wary bird, it is frequently reported by river fishermen as becom- 

 ing entangled in their set-nets. It devours larger fishes than 

 the grebes, and such as are more characteristic of open, deeper 

 waters. Warren mentions that fall fish {Seinotilus bullaris), 

 suckers, carp {Cyprinus carpio) and the brook trout {Salvelinus 

 fontinalis) are sometimes eaten by loons. In one he found a 

 brook trout seven inches long. In fresh-waters, where loons 

 were noted, I have found mostly cyprinoids {Hybognathus 

 nuchalis regius, Notropis hudsonius amarus and N. whipplii analos- 

 tanus), and in salt-water, white perch (Morone americana) , sil- 

 versides (^Menidia menidia notata), mullets (Mugil curema) and 

 pampanos {Trachinotus carolinus). All these fish very likely 

 are devoured, though I have not made any examinations of 

 stomachs. 



Herring Gull {Larus argentatus). A common winter visitor 

 along the New Jersey coast and the Delaware River tidal, and 

 sometimes straggling inland in small numbers. This gull prob- 

 ably does not capture living fish, though it will occasionally 

 nibble at dead fish, as alewives {Pomolobus pseudoharengus) float- 

 ing about with the tides. They will also feed on offal and bits 

 of sewage. Along the coast they sometimes devour dead killi- 

 fish (Fundulus heteroclitus macrolepidotus when frozen in the salt 

 ponds and then thawed out. 



Laughing Gull {Larua mtricilla). Found along our larger 

 rivers during migrations. I reported this bird some years ago ^ 



' Cassinia, 1903, p. 46. 



