52 



SUBSPECIES. The Kittiwake occurs in distinct subspecific form on both the north 

 Atlantic and north Pacific oceans. Our eastern form, the Atlantic Kittiwake, is the type 

 and occurs in both Europe and America. 



Economic Status. The food of the Kittiwake is, probably, similar 

 to that of the other marine Gulls, but its smaller size renders it even less 

 open to objection than some other members of its family. 



Genus— Larus. Gulls. 



42. Glaucous Gull, burgomaster, fr. — le goeland a manteau glauque. 

 Larus hyperboreus. L, 28. The Glaucous Gull is one of the largest of the Gulls. In the 

 adult, the mantle is only slightly tinged with grey; younger specimens are nearly pure 

 white all over. It is the largest of the white-winged Gulls (those having no black on the 

 wing-tips). Birds of the year are only slightly barred with ashy or brdwnish grey. 



Distinctions. Its nearly white colour separates it from the Black-backed which it 

 resembles in point of size. 



Field Marks. Size, general white coloration, and lack of black wing-tip make the 

 best recognition marks in life. 



Nesting. On the ground, in the far north. 



Distribution. Breeds along the circumpolar coasts and islands of both hemispheres. 

 Occurs on our Atlantic coast, in autumn and winter when a few individuals wander inland 

 to lake Ontario and perhaps to lake Erie. 



Economic Status. Being only a winter visitor to our coasts and rarely 

 appearing inland, its economic importance is unappreciable. 



43. Iceland Gull. Fit. — le goeland a ailes blanches. Larus kucopterus. L, 24. 

 The Iceland Gull is of about the same size as the Herring Gull, but with very light grey or 

 white mantle and white wing-tips — a smaller edition of the Glaucous. 



Distinctions. Size, and white instead of black wing-tips. 

 Field Marks. Size, wing-tips, and general whiteness of coloration. 

 Nesting. On the ground. 



Distribution. Breeds in the Arctic regions of eastern America and western Europe. 

 Visits our Atlantic coast in winter only, rarely straggling inland as far as lake Ontario. 



Economic Status. As it is only a winter visitor on our sea-coasts and 

 accidental on the Great Lakes, it has little if any economic importance. 



47. Great Black-backed Gull, saddle-back, coffin carrier, fr. — le goe- 

 land a manteau noir. le gros goeland. Larus marinus. L, 29. A very large Gull, 

 the adult with a distinctive black mantle. 



Distinctions. Large size and black back are characteristic of the adult. Juveniles 

 are brown instead of ashy or white as in the Glaucous Gull, more plainly striped on back 

 and less evenly coloured than the Herring Gull. 



Field Marks. Large size and black back are good field marks for the adult. Size is 

 the only describable distinction for juveniles in life. 



Nesting. On the ground, nest of seaweed or vegetable fragments. 



Distribution. Breeds on the Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia northward to the high 

 Arctic. Owing to advancing settlement nesting localities have been reduced to the more 

 isolated situations. Is a more or less regular but rather scarce winter visitor on lake 

 Ontario, but rarely wanders farther inland along the Great Lakes. 



Economic Status. With feeding habits similar to those of the other 

 Gulls, the superior size, strength, and numbers of the Black-backed Gull 

 increase its powers for good or harm. The species is certainly not to be 

 trusted in the vicinity of unprotected nests, or even young birds of other 

 species, as both eggs and young are eagerly devoured when opportunity 



