Ig2 KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 
LARUS ARGENTATUS SMITHSONIANUS Cowes. 
American Herring Gull. 
White near end of outer primary separated 
from the white tip by a band of black. 
Adult in summer: Back pearl gray; head, 
neck, and under parts white; in winter the 
adult has the head and neck streaked with 
ashy gray. First primary tipped with white 
with a subterminal band of black; this, in 
turn, is followed by a white band and then 
another black one. 
Immature: General plumage mottled pale 
brown or buff. 
a Length, 24; Wing, 17.50; Tail, 7.50; Bill, 
a> 2.10. 
The European species, Larws argentatus, 
is very similar, but has the two white marks 
at tip of primary joined and not separated by the black. 
Ranges throughout North America; common in Florida in winter. It 
breeds from Maine northward. Nest constructed of grass or seaweed, 
usually on the ground; eggs brownish white, lined and blotched with dark 
brown. 
LARUS DELAWARENSIS Orda. 
Ring-billed Gull. 
Adult in summer; Bill yellowish 
banded with black ; mantle pearl gray ; 
feet pale yellow or greenish; first primary 
black with a subterminal white spot. In 
winter, head and neck streaked with 
dusky; band on bill less distinct. 
Immature: General plumage mottled 
gray or buff gray; bill yellowish tipped 
with black. 
Length, 18.40; Wing, 14: Tail, 6; Bill, 
1.65. 
Ranges throughout North 
America, in winter south to Gulf 
of Mexico. Not uncommon in Florida. Nests on the ground; eggs pale 
buff marked with chocolate brown. 
