1911] Swarth: Alaska Expedition of 1909. 35 



birds seen during the summer were non-breeders ; for individuals, 

 distinguished by some peculiarity of color or form,, were known 

 to stay in the vicinity of a camp day after day without wander- 

 ing off to any great distance. 



Individuals seen at Zarembo Island, Mitkof Island, and 

 Thomas Bay, from the middle of July to about the end of 

 August, were in the midst of the molt, and were very ragged 

 in appearance. 



Larus argentatus Pontoppidan. Herring Gull. 



Evidently not a common species, and seen at but a very 

 few points. Several individuals were observed following the 

 steamer from time to time between Seattle and Juneau, April 

 4 to 9, and others were seen in the harbors at Ketchikan, June 

 15, at Wrangell, July 26, and at Juneau, September 2 and 

 29. These were all birds in various stages of the immature 

 plumage, and they were nearly all ragged and dirty in appear- 

 ance. On the Taku River, September 4 to 28, a flock of gulls, 

 including about a dozen of this species, remained around an 

 Indian fishing camp by the river, where they shared with the 

 crows and ravens the refuse thrown out. 



Larus brachyrhynchus Richardson. Short-billed Gull. 



In going north in the spring the short-billed gull first 

 appeared about the steamer while we were crossing Queen 

 Charlotte Sound, on April 6, and from then on until Juneau 

 was reached many individuals remained in the wake of the boat. 

 At Three-mile Arm, Kuiu Island, April 25 to May 6, the species 

 was more abundant than at any other point visited; in fact it 

 was subsequently observed at but few places and in very limited 

 numbers. It was next seen at Bradfield Canal, July 18 to 26, 

 where it was fairly common, feeding on the tide flats in company 

 with Larus glaucescens and L. Philadelphia. On the beach at 

 Mitkof Island small numbers were feeding on the mud in the 

 same association. At Thomas Bay, August 13 to 23, short- 

 billed gulls were fairly abundant, but the birds seen were very 

 ragged in appearance, evidently in the midst of the post-nuptial 

 molt. 



