54 MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 
The first eggs are laid early in June, but often the nests are robbed 
continuously so that fresh eggs are often found until late in July. 
Probably not all the individuals nest during the first year and this 
may account for the numbers of dark colored birds which linger about the 
shores and harbors far south of any known nesting places. The 
regular southward migration begins by the middle of August, and 
although the greater number spend the winter farther south, many remain all 
winter in the open water of the southern parts of the lakes. Indeed probably 
a few linger all winter wherever there is open water, at least as far north 
as the Straits of Mackinac and the rapids of the Sault Ste. Marie. During 
migration the birds frequently visit inland lakes and streams and probably 
there is not a county in the state where they do not appear occasionally 
wheeling slowly over ponds and streams in search of fish or other food. 
Formerly the eggs were collected in large numbers by the Indians and 
fishermen, and were commonly sold for food in the markets of Escanaba 
and some other large lake ports. Mr. Ed. VanWinkle, Van’s Harbor, Mich., 
states that it still (1905) “Breeds abundantly on middle and south Gull 
Islands as well as on Gravel Gull Island at the entrance to Green Bay in 
Delta county, Mich. It is no uncommon thing for the egg poachers on 
some of their trips to carry away 2,000 to 3,000 of their eggs.” It is hoped 
that this is altogether a thing of the past. The present law protects all 
culls, as non-game birds, and a heavy penalty may be imposed for killing 
them or disturbing their nests or eggs. 
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 
Adult in summer with the head wholly white and the tail even. Mantle delicate pearl- 
gray; primaries black and white, usually white-tipped with a black sub-terminal space. 
Lower mandible often with a red or yellow spot but never with a black one. Winter 
plumage similar, but the head and neck streaked with brownish or gray. Immature very 
variously marked, sometimes almost uniform chocolate brown all over, sometimes mottled 
with brown, white and pearl-gray in variable amounts. A black tail-bar frequently 
occurs, but other specimens lack it altogether. Length, 22.50 to 26.00 inches; wing, 16.25 
to 17.50, culmen 1.95 to 2.50. 
15. Ring-billed Gull. Larus delawarensis Ord. (54) 
Synonyms: Common Gull, Lake Gull (confused with the Herring Gull).—Larus delawar- 
ensis, Ord, 1815, and many others.—Larus zonorhynchus, Rich., 1831, Nutt., 1834, Aud., 
1835, and a few others. 
In full plumage this bird may be distinguished from any other gull of 
our waters by its yellowish bill with a distinct band of black encircling it. 
In any other plumage, however, it is so similar to several others species, 
particularly to the Herring Gull, that it is not likely to be recognized except 
by the expert. It is decidedly smaller than the Herring Gull, but unless 
the two are seen in company this fact is not apparent. 
Distribution.—North America at large; south in winter to Cuba and 
Mexico. 
Next to the Herring Gull this species undoubtedly is the most common 
of the larger gulls, but it is abundant only during the migrations, or in the 
southern part of the state during winter. Probably it formerly nested 
on some of the islands in Lake Huron and Lake Michigan, but we have no 
reason to suppose that it does so at present. Major Boies states that it 
breeds abundantly on islands to the east of Neebish Island in the St. Mary’s 
River (Bull. Mich. Orn. Club, I, 18), and Mr. Butler informs us that he was 
