244 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP 
Larus marinus Linn. — Great Black-backed Gull. ‘‘Saddle-backed Gull.” 
“Saddler.” 
Larus marinus , Aud., Birds Araer. vii. 172, pi. 450. Lawrence, Gen. Rep. 844. 
The Great Black-backed Gull, which, with the single exception of the Glau- 
cous Gull, is the most powerful of its tribe, is a very abundant bird during the 
summer months along the whole coast of Labrador. Indeed, this is almost the 
only locality on this side of the Atlantic where its habits during the breeding 
season can be successfully studied ; the peculiar character of the coast renders 
it well adapted to the wants of the birds, and it is therefore their favorite 
breeding place. I was informed that it arrives there about the latter part of 
May, but with reference to its time of departure, I cannot reconcile my observa- 
tions with those of Audubon. He states that “ by the 12th of that month 
(August) they had all left Labrador whereas, I found them still numerous 
on the first of September, and I think I never saw so many of both old and 
young as I did at Henley Harbor on the 30th of August. At what time they 
really do depart, or whether any remain all winter, I am unable to say. I can 
account for this and many other discrepancies between our observations with 
respect to date, only by supposing the season in which Audubon visited the 
country was a very early one, or that last summer was remarkably delayed. 
This species generally chooses for the situation of its nest one of the many 
small islands, some of them mere rocks jutting out of the water, which every- 
where stud the Labrador coast; and contrary to the usual habit of Gulls, it 
does not congregate in large numbers upon a single island, not more than two 
or three nests being commonly placed together. It sometimes, however, mixes 
with the Herring Gulls, for among several hundred of the latter, which circled 
high over our heads when we invaded their territories, I never failed to detect 
a few of the Black-backed. I was surprised to find it breeding on some inland 
ponds, (there also in company with the Herring Gulls,) the nests being placed 
on small rocks jutting out. o? the water. In these situations I have thought 
them less shy than when breeding on islands open to the sea. The nest is large 
and bulky, composed of moss and lichens scraped into a heap, the cavity ap- 
parently formed by the weight of the bird. They are rather shallow for the 
width, which is nearly or quite two feet externally. The eggs are three, as is 
usual among the Gulls and Terns, and differ much in size, shape and color, even 
in those taken from the same nest, some being smaller than the average of 
Herring Gulls, though they are usually proportionately larger. 
On the 4th of July three young birds of this species, apparently but a few 
days old, were procured and placed in a basket together with a number of 
Hen ing Gulls of about the same age. Even thus early they evinced their su- 
periority in size and strength over the other species, for, on looking at them 
next morning, I found that, their quarters being rather crowded, they had 
trampled to death every one of the others, and were standing triumphantly 
over the mass of dead bodies, calling loudly for food. When fed they exhibited 
the greatest voracity and gluttony, each devouring at a meal three or four cap- 
elin some six inches long, which they could swallow whole, and they quarrelled 
and fought continually for choice morsels. Two of these birds were left in 
charge of a fisherman at Henley Harbor, and on our return, about seven weeks 
afterwards, they had grown to fully the size of the adults, and were magnificent 
birds and great favorites. They kept their plumage perfectly clean and in good 
order, and were very tame. They weie then mottled all over with spots of 
dusky, most of the primaries, and a subterroinal band on the tail, black ; bill 
entirely black, legs and feet light flesh color. This is the plumage in which 
these Gulls lemain the greater part of the first year. One of the birds was 
much larger and stronger than the other, which it tyrannized over continually 
and kept in perfect subjection. Both uttered frequently a whining noise, espe- 
cially when hungry; which state, however, seems to be the normal condition of 
all Gulls, both young and old. 
[Aug. 
