314 PROCEEDINGS: BOSTON SOCIETY NATURAL HISTORY. 



Larus leucopterus Faber. 

 Iceland Gull. 



Rare transient or winter visitor. 



No definite record of the presence of this species in Labrador 

 has been found, but it is doubtless of general occurrence coastwise 

 in the colder months of the year. Reeks states that it is common in 

 autumn and winter from Greenland to Newfoundland. We found 

 on Great Caribou Island the wing feathers of a white gull, the measure- 

 ments of which correspond closely to those of the Iceland Gull. The 

 bird had evidently been killed during the previous winter (1905-6). 



Audubon, in 1833, "was surprised to find but very few on the coast 

 of Labrador, and these did not seem to be breeding," but it is open to 

 considerable doubt whether Audubon was right in identifying the 

 birds that he saw, with this species. 



[Larus kumlieni Brewst. Kumlien's Gull. — We have no record for this 

 gull but as it is believed to breed in Cumberland Gulf it doubtless is found 

 as a transient visitor along the Labrador shores.] 



Larus marhius Linn. 



Great Black-backed Gull; "Saddle-back." 



Common summer resident. 



These fine birds are found breeding along the entire southern 

 and eastern Labrador coasts; on the Hudson Bay side we have no 

 record of them, and the only interior record is that given by Macoun 

 of an egg taken by A. P. Low on the Hamilton River in 1894. 



Cartwright refers to the "Saddle-back," and so long ago as 1833, 

 Audubon found that "the parents were so shy and so wary that none 

 could be shot," and the constant persecution of the fishermen has 

 not served to lessen this wariness during the intervening years. Audu- 

 bon also adds that they "suck other birds' eggs like Crows, Jays, and 

 Ravens." Audubon caught some young as early as June 18th but 

 according to Coues these gulls are said to arrive in the latter part of 

 May, and eggs are found on the south coast in the middle of June. 

 He speaks of finding young birds on July 4th. Stearns, Coues, and 

 Verrill found this gull common along the southern coast and among 

 the Mingan Islands. Frazar was served at breakfast with the eggs" 

 of this species by the people with whom he was staying. 



