54 



54. Ring-billed Gull. fr. — le goeland db Delaware, la mauvb. Lotus dela- 

 warensis. L, 18-50. Like the Herring Gull (See p. 53) but smaller; the adult with the bill 

 crossed near the tip with a transverse bar or ring. 



Distinctions. Except when adult and ring on bill is obvious, size is the best guide to 

 separate this species from the Herring Gull, but the young Ring-bill is never as dark 

 as that species in its first year. On the sea-coast this species may be mistaken for the 

 common but smaller Kittiwake. The presence of terminal white spots on the black wing- 

 tips serves to distinguish the Ring-bill. In juvenility, the brown coloration of the Ring- 

 bill is in contrast with the lighter coloration of the young Kittiwake. It lacks the 

 distinct terminal tail band of those birds and has flesh-coloured instead of black feet and 

 legs. The absence of the sharp, narrow, black tail band and dark cheek-patch, and great 

 difference in size should be sufficient to differentiate it from Bonaparte's Gull in juvenile 

 or winter plumage. 



Field Marks. A careful study of the characters above will reveal the only good field 

 marks known to the author. 



Nesting. On the ground, in grasses or vegetable material. 



Distribution. Found over almost the whole of Canada. Breeds locally throughout 

 its range in Canada except in the most southern parts of the Dominion in the lower Great 

 Lakes region. 



Economic Statu*. The food habits of the Ring-bill are similar in a 

 general way to those of the Herring Gull, but the smaller size of the Ring-bill 

 reduces its influence. 



60. Bonaparte's Gull. pr. — le goeland de bonaparte. Lotus Philadelphia. 

 L, 14. Bonaparte's is our smallest eastern Gull. Its general coloration is similar to that 

 of the Herring or Ring-bill but the adult has a black hood over the head and neck. Juven- 

 iles and winter birds are without the hood, but are marked with a veiled or indistinct dark 

 ear spot. 



Distinctions. The black hood serves to distinguish this Gull from all eastern species 

 when in summer plumage. In western Ontario, Franklin's Gull may occasionally be seen. 

 It is a slightly larger bird with a deep red bill and almost black feet, instead of black bill 

 and coral-red feet. The exposed primary tips are mostly black instead of mostly white 

 with small black tips. Juveniles may be recognized by their dark ear spot. They are 

 distinguished from the Kittiwake which they somewhat resemble on the forward part of 

 the outstretched wing, by the black posterior margin to the wing — a mourning band — 

 and by the dark terminal tail band. Bonaparte's Gull may at times be confused with 

 the Terns, but its heavier build and action, and lack of any suggestion of a forked tail 

 should make differentiation comparatively easy. 



The Laughing Gull which occasionally occurs on our southern sea-coast looks very 

 much like this species, but the outer wing feathers are black instead of mostly white and 

 it is a breeder not a winter migrant. It is, however, so rare that its identification should 

 be accepted with the greatest caution. 



Field Marks. Size, black hood in summer adults, white on forward edge of wings, and 

 the bill and feet colour on other plumages make the most valuable field characters for 

 recognition in life. 



Nesting. On stumps, bushes, or trees, sometimes as high as 20 feet from the ground. 



Distribution. Breeding range not well known but it has been found nesting in 

 Alaska and the far northwest. Occurs in winter or migration practically throughout 

 Canada. 



This little Gull is more often seen in passing or visiting flocks than the 

 other species. It also haunts marshes and flooded lands more than they 

 do and is rarely noted as a solitary individual. It shows a markedly 

 gregarious habit and flocks seem to be held together more by sociability 

 than by a community of interest, as appears usually to be the case with 

 other species of Gulls. 



