ALASKA. ID 9 



552. learns ta'Mactylsns var. kotzebiii^ (Br.) Coues. — Pacific Kiiti- 



ii'flfre. " Chomie-iiauslikie goverooskie.'' 

 Bissa Jcoizehui, Bp. Consp. At., 11, 226, (1856.)— Coues. Pr., 

 • Phila. Acatl., 305, (1862. )— Coues. Pr. Phila. Acid., 207, (1869.) 

 Lams tridactijlus, Dall & B.o;x. Tr. Chic. Aoad., 1, 305, (1869.) 

 Zarus tridaotylus var. liotzelui, Coues, Key, 314, (1872.) 



We have called attention, in our publications above quoted, 

 to the fact that the S^orth Paciiic kittiwake has the hind toe 

 better formed thau that of the Atlantic bird ; and this is the 

 sole basis of the supjjosed species. 



Although thus so similar to the true Larus tridactylits that it 

 cannot be specifically distinguished, and also totally distinct 

 from the next species, there has been a strange confusion regard- 

 ing it. I do not venture now to add to the foregoing synon- 

 ymy several names more or less doubtfully here applicable. Bo- 

 naparte quotes as synonymous, Bissa nivea of Bruch, J. f. O., 

 1855, 285 ; and also queries E. hrachyrliynclia of Bruch, ihid.,f 

 1853, 103. No one of the four species of Bissa described by 

 Mr. Lawrence, in 1858, in Baird's work, pp. 854, 855, belongs 

 here. 



"This kittiwake breeds here by tens of thousands, in com- 

 pany with B. brevirostris, coming at the same time, but laying 

 a week or ten days earlier ; in all other respects it corresponds 

 in habit, and is in just about the same number. It is a remark- 

 ably constant bird in coloration, when adult, for I have failed 

 to observe the slightest variation in plumage among the great 

 numbers here under my notice. 



" In building its nest it uses more grass and less mud-cement 

 than the hrevirostris does. The eggs are more pointed at the 

 small end and lighter in the ground-color, with numerous spots 

 and blotches of dark brown. The chick is difficult to distin- 

 guish with certainty from the breviro'itris, and it is not until two 

 or three weeks have passed that any difference can be noted ia 

 the length of bill and color of feet. 



"Like iJissa hrevirostris, the male treads the female on the 

 nest, and nowhere else, making a loud, shrill, screaming sound 

 during the ceremony." 



553. Lai'iDS brevirostris, (Bkandt.)— S/iori-SiHcd or Sed-legged Kitii- 



xaake. " Goverooskie." 

 Bissa hrevirostris, Bkandt. — Lawk. B.N. A., 855, (1858.) — Dall 



& Bann. Tr. Chicago Acad., i, 305, (1869.) 

 Lm-us hrevirostris, CoUES. Key N. A. Birds, 315, (1872.) 



