May, 1914 
BIRD NOTES FROI\I NETARTS BAY, OREGON 
111 
tion. All those seen in January had more or less of an oily substance coated in 
the feathers of the under parts, but whether or not this oily substance was the 
direct cause of their death, I am unable to saj^ 
Larus glaucescens. Glaucous-winged Gull. This species was seen com- 
monly during January. It was usually found with the still more common L. 
occidentalis. 
Larus occidentalis. Western Gull. Common both along the ocean beach 
and on the bay. During low tide hundreds of these gulls congregate on the ex- 
posed mud flats where they find an abundance of food. The birds also catch 
many crabs in the shallow water, carrying them to the smooth, sandy beach, 
where they are torn apart and devoured. I have seen this gull tear open the 
breast of a surf -scoter and eat the entire body, leaving the skin. At other times 
the gulls will feed only on the eyes and brains of a bird, leaving the body. 
They also eat fish and other animal matter thrown up by the tide, caring little 
whether it be fresh or decomposed, thereby proving their great value as scav- 
engers (see fig. 36). 
Larus californicus. California Gull. Large numbers of this gull were 
seen on Netarts Bay on September 8, when a series of skins was collected. 
Larus brachyrhynchus. Short-billed Gull. Seen but once', on January 2, 
when two were seen, one of which was secured. 
Eissa tridactyla pollicaris. Pacific Kittiwake. A single example was 
found dead on the rocky beach near Cape Meares on March 13. 
Fulmarus glacialis glupischa. Pacific Fulmar. Several specimens were 
found dead on the beach from January 1 to 10, and the skins were preserved, 
sliowing the dark, mottled and light phases of plumage. 
