KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 193 
LARUS ATRICILLA Zina. 
Laughing Gull. 
Adult in summer: Head and throat plum= 
beous ; rest of upper parts pearl gray; under 
parts white ; bill reddish. 
Adult in winter; Head white marked with 
ash gray; throat white. 
Length, 16.50; Wing, 12.50; Tail, 5; Bill, 
1.75. 
This species has a wide breeding 
range, extending from Maine to the 
Gulf of Mexico. It is resident and 
breeds in Florida. The nest is built 
on the ground in marshy places, and 
the eggs, usually four or five, are 
grayish or pale brownish, blotched 
with chocolate brown. 
LARUS PHILADELPHIA (Ord). 
Bonaparte’s Gull. 
Adult in summer: Bill black; head and neck plumbeous ; 
feet orange red; tail white. 
Adult in winter: Head and neck white; top of the head 
grayish; feet flesh color. 
a Immature birds have a white tail with subterminal band of 
black. 
Length, 13.50; Wing, 10.40; Tail, 4.15; Bill, 1.30. 
¥ North America, south in winter to Central 
. America and West Indies. Common in Florida 
in winter. Breeds far northward. Nest composed of brush and grass 
built in small trees or bushes. Eggs four, pale olive, marked with brown 
spots. 
