2(38 



NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA, 



[NO. 27. 



Larus brachyrhynchus Eieli. Short-billed Gull. 



This small gull, originally described from (Ireat Bear Lake, is 

 one of the commonest breeders of its genus from the lower part of 

 Slave River northward to the Arctic coast. 



In 1901 we first met with this species on Slave River 75 miles below 

 Fort Smith, July 1, w^hen several individuals were seen and one 

 was taken. During the next two days, while following the course 

 oi the river to its mouth, we observed the birds in considerable num- 

 bers. We did not note it again until July 16, while sailing among 

 thy spruce-covered islands of the Northern Arm of Great Slave Lake 

 between Yellowknife Ba}^ and Trout Rock, when Yve passed through 

 the breeding ground of a large colony. The birds perched freely 

 on the summits of the spruces, and were noisy and familiar. Maiiy 

 3^oung ones, still unable to fly, left the small islands on our approach, 

 and attempted to escape by swimming. An adult female was col- 

 lected. A small flock was seen feeding on the lake at Fort Rae, 

 July 22, and a nearl}^ full-grown bird was taken. The last were 

 noted while we were crossing the lake, July 30, when a number 

 were seen near Hardisty Island. 



In 1903 we first saw the short-billed gull on Slave River, 50 miles 

 below Fort Smith, Mackenzie, June IG, observing about 25, and we 

 noted it in numbers between there and Limestone Point, June 17. 

 While on the Mackenzie, Alfred E. Preble and Merritt Gary ob- 

 served it below the mouth of the Nahanni, July 19. On their 

 return trip they noted it at Smith Landing, August 2. While 

 crossing Great Slave Lake to Fort Rae, I found the species common 

 among the islands of the Northern Arm, July 24 to 26, and observed 

 many young birds just commencing to fly. Along my route be- 

 tween Great Slave and Great Bear lakes it seemed to. be a com- 

 mon breeder. Adults accompanied by newly fledged young were 

 common on lower Grandin River, August 1. I observed it on 

 Sarahk Lake, August 7 ; Lake Rae, August 9, when young with 

 the dark-banded tail were noted ; and near Lake St. Croix, August 

 13. On the lakes betw^een Lake Hardisty and Great Bear Lake I 

 observed it in numbers on August 20, 24, and 25, this being the 

 last date noted. 



In the spring of 1904, I first saw the short-billed gull at Fort 

 Simpson, Mackenzie, May 8, when several individuals, evidently 

 newly arrived, were seen flying back and forth over the river. I 

 next saw the bird on May 10, and it was common from that date, 

 being noted nearly every day through May. Three specimens col- 

 lected May 12 had been feeding on water beetles (Dytiscus daurievs). 

 I noted the iris as lig-ht hazel. While descending the Mackenzie I 



