174 THE GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. 



coast I am unable to say. Some are seen scattered along our sea-shores, 

 from the Floridas to the Middle States, there being but few old birds among 

 them; but the species does not become abundant until beyond the eastern 

 extremities of the Connecticut and Long Island, when their number greatly 

 increases the farther you proceed. On the whole of that extensive range, 

 these birds are very shy and wary, and those which are procured are merely 

 "chance shots." They seldom advance far up the bays, unless forced to do 

 so by severe weather or heavy gales; and although I have seen this bird on 

 our great lakes, I do not remember having ever observed an individual on 

 any of our eastern rivers, at a distance from the sea, whereas the Larus 

 argent at us is frequently found in such places. 



Towards the commencement of summer, these wandering birds are seen 

 abandoning the waters of the ocean to tarry for awhile on the wild shores 

 of Labrador, dreary and desolate to man, but to them delightful as affording 

 all that they can desire. One by one they arrive, the older individuals first. 

 As they view from afar the land of their birth, that moment they emit their 

 loud cries, with all the joy a traveller feels when approaching his loved 

 home. The males sooner or later fall in with the females of their choice, 

 and together they proceed to some secluded sand-bar, where they fill the air 

 with their furious laughs until the rocks echo again. Should the student of 

 nature happen to be a distant spectator of these meetings, he too must have 

 much enjoyment. Each male bows, moves around his mate, and no doubt 

 discloses to her the ardour of his love. Matters are managed to the satis- 

 faction of all parties, yet day after day for awhile, at the retreat of the 

 waters, they meet as if by mutual agreement. Now you see them dressing 

 their plumage, now partially expanding their wings to the sun; some lay 

 themselves comfortably down on the sand, while others, supported by one 

 foot, stand side by side. The waters again advance, and the Gulls all move 

 off in search of food. At length the time has arrived; small parties of a 

 few pairs fly towards the desert isles. Some remain in the nearest to prepare 

 their nests, the rest proceed, until each pair has found a suitable retreat, and 

 before a fortnight has elapsed, incubation has commenced. 



The nest of this species is usually placed on the bare rock of some low 

 island, sometimes beneath a projecting shelf, sometimes in a wide fissure. 

 In Labrador it is formed of moss and sea-weeds carefully arranged, and has 

 a diameter of about two feet, being raised on the edges to the height of five 

 or six inches, but seldom more than two inches thick in the centre, where 

 feathers, dry grass, and other materials are added. The eggs are three, and 

 in no instance have I found more. They are two inches and seven-eighths in 

 length, by two inches and one-eighth in breadth, broadly ovate, rough but 

 not granulated, of a pale earthy greenish-grey colour, irregularly blotched 



