LAUGHINCx GULL. 
BLACK-HEADED GULL. 
Larus atricilla. 
Char. Mantle deep slaty gray ; head and neck dark brownish slate ; 
outer wing-feathers black ; tail and under parts white, slightly tinged with 
pale pink ; bill and feet dull red. 
In winter the under parts lose the pink tint, and the head is white. 
Length about i6 inches. 
Nest. On a grassy island, hid amid a tussock of sedges or in the sand 
of a sca-bcach ; a slight depression in the turf lined with fine grass. 
3“5; dull white or pale slate tinged with green or blue, marked 
profusely with brown and lilac; average size about 2.20 X r.55. 
This species, very common in most parts of America, is also 
frequent in Europe, particularly in the warmer parts, as the 
coasts of Sicily, Spain, and the islands of the Mediterranean ; 
elsewhere in that continent it is rare and accidental. In 
.America it is found as far south as Cayenne and Mexico, but 
does not appear to inhabit far north of the limits of the Union. 
On the coast of New Jersey it makes its appearance in the 
latter part of April, and is soon discovered by its familiar- 
