51 



Field Marks. Resembles so many other Gulls in general coloration that it can only 

 be separated in life by close observation of minute characters under favourable conditions. 

 In size, is smaller than the Herring and Ring-billed Gulls and larger than Bonaparte's 

 Gull. 



From the Herring and Ring-billed Gulls it differs by having black instead of flesh- 

 coloured or yellowish legs and in lacking the small terminal white spots on the black primary 

 tips. The bill is an even yellow in the adult, without the red spot of the Herring Gull 

 or the black transverse band of the Ring-billed. Juveniles resemble Bonaparte's Gull 

 very closely in having a black bill and similar colour pattern, but the forward edge of the 

 outstretched wing is mostly black instead of conspicuously white. Juvenile Kittiwakes 

 do not pass through a brown stage, as do the Herring Gulls, but resemble the adult in modi- 

 fied but similar coloration 



Nesting. Makes a substantial and well built nest of sea-weed on small projections 

 from the faces of perpendicular cliffs. 



Distribution. A marine species, the Atlantic Kittiwake occurs only casually on fresh 

 water or inland. Inhabits both sides of the Atlantic; breeding, in America, from the gulf 

 of St. Lawrence north to well into the Arctics. It should be recorded on the Great Lakes 

 only upon unimpeachable evidence. 



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. 



42. Glaucous GuU. burqomastee. fk. — le goeland a manteatt glauque. 

 Larus hyperboreus. L, 28. The Glaucous GuM 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 sUghtly barred with ashy or brownish grey. 



Distinctions. Its nearly white coloration 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 gromid, 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. fh. — le GoiLANn X ailes blanches. Larus leucopterus. 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 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 Got- 

 land A manteau noib. le geos GOTLAND. Larus marinus. L, 29. A very large GuU, 

 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 striped on back and less 

 evenly coloured than the Herring GuU. 



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

 is the only describable distinction for juveniles in life. 



