The California Gull 



coll.: 65.3 x 44.2 (2.57 x 1.74); index 66.6; range 56.6-71.9 by 34.3-47 (2.23-2.83 by 

 1. 35-1. 85). Season: May-June; one brood. 



General Range. — Western North America, breeding in the interior from eastern 

 California, Nevada, and North Dakota, north to northern Mackenzie. Occurs during 

 migrations along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia southward, less commonly 

 in the interior east to Colorado, Kansas, and Texas. Winters chiefly along the coast 

 of California and south to southern Mexico; also casually north to Puget Sound. 



Distribution in California. — Common winter resident along the coast, being 

 especially common in the harbors and in attendance on shipping. Present more or 

 less casually upon inland waters after the close of the breeding season. Breeds in 

 large colonies upon islands of the larger lakes, from Mono north. Also, formerly, 

 in the Sacramento River. 



Authorities. — Lawrence (Larus calif omicus) , Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y., vol. 

 vi., 1854, p. 79 (orig. desc. ; type locality, Stockton); Townsend, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 

 vol. x., 1887, p. 191 (Eagle Lake, breeding); Finley, Condor, vol. ix., 1907, p. 12, figs. 

 (Klamath Lake, breeding); H. C.Bryant, Condor, vol. xxi., 1919, p. 127 (eating earth- 

 worms). 



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Taken in Washington 



A WELTER OF WINGS 



Photo by the A uthor 



GULLS fill a large place not alone in the "economy of nature" but 

 in the affections and economics of men. Latterly the envy and despair of 

 the automotive engineer, the way of a gull both afoot and aloft has always 

 intrigued the admiration of human kind. Little naked savages, fore- 

 gathered with their elders about some reeking clam stew, have darted at 

 them ever and again and have pelted them with futile stones, and then fallen 

 silent as the birds chanted their runes of hungry protest, or winged se- 

 curely aloft in scorn of tribal happenings. Fishermen for a thousand cen- 

 turies have alternately wrangled and fraternized with them, now bran- 

 dishing an oar in impotent rage, and now flinging a largess of fish in 

 wondering obedience to some higher law of pity. The picnicking tourist, 

 lolling on a southern beach, marks the passing legions of the air with 

 squinting eyes, or else bestirs himself to offer refreshment, a neglected 

 sandwich or a surplus bun. The artist and the poet, too, chief of na- 



fJ99 



