226 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. 



of this gull in this vicinity— Oct. 27, 1899, May 5, 1902 (speci- 

 men), Sept. 25, 1902, Apr. 18, 1915 and Apr. 12, 1917,— it prob- 

 ably occurs oftener than indicated by these figures. Unfortu- 

 nately the observers most liable to see it (the river fishermen) 

 are unable to distinguish it from the preceding species. Further 

 observation may prove it to be as common, if not commoner, 

 than the Herring Gull. 



Laeus atkicilla Linnaeus. Laughing Chill. 

 Casual migrant. 



The Laughing Gull has been repeatedly taken at Lawrence 

 (six records. Bunker) and has been reported from points to the 

 north and east (southieastem Nebraska and southern and cen- 

 tral loiwa). It is probably a rare bird everywhere inland and 

 has thus far escaped notice on the Missouri River in this imme- 

 daate neighborhood. 



Laeus franklini Richardson. Franklin's Gull. 

 Common migrant. 



Long straggling flocks of these beautiful gulls begin to arrive 

 from the south from the 10th to 20th of April and are but a few 

 days in passing, as they are probably impatient to reach the 

 breeding grounds. Late arrivals have been noted as late as the 

 first week in May. They seem to be irregular in the autumnal 

 flight ; during some years but a few are seen, during others great 

 numbers pass through. They straggle along in a leisurely man- 

 ner, feeding as they go, from the middle of October to the last 

 of November. 



In the spring they are to be looked for on the Missouri River 

 but in fall are likely to occur about any body of water. 



Laeus Philadelphia (Ord). Bonaparte's Gull. 

 Not very rare migrant. 



Specimens of Bonaparte's Gull are occasionally shot by hunt 

 ers on the Missouri River; more often in spring than autumn. 

 Available records of specimens are as follows : Sugar Lake, May 

 5, 1897, Bryant; Missouri River, Jackson County, May 10, 1900, 

 Tindall; Holt County, May 5, 1908, Bankers; Missouri River, 

 Jackson County, December 8, 1917, specimen in collection of 

 Miss Clements of Independence. 



