ccvi LARiDa:. BIRDS. LAEiua;. 
AMERICAN MEW GULL [L. canws).— Inhabits the 
interioi’ ol Arctic America and the Pacific Coast 
generally. It is not recorded as being on the 
Atlantic Coast. 
HEERMAN’S WHITE-HEADED GULL [L. heermani). 
— Now called L. belcheri. Is abundant on the Pa- 
cific Coast. Its length is sixteen to twenty inches ; 
wing, thirteen to fourteen. 
THE COMMON KITTIWAKE (Z. tridactylus).— 
This species inhabits both hemispheres in the Arc- 
tic regions, and reaches as far south in winter as the 
Middle States. Audubon says of it: “The Kitti- 
wake is the most awkward of its tribe while walk- 
ing, and, although it walks often on the rocks, its 
gait manifests a waddling gaueJierie ; but on the 
water, and in the air, few birds surpass it in buoy- 
ancy, grace and ease of motion. Bearing up against 
the heaviest gale, it passes from one trough of the 
sea to another, as if anxious to rest for an instant 
under the lee of the billows; yet, as these are seen 
to rear their curling crests, the Gull is seen already 
several feet above them, and preparing to plunge into 
the next hollow. While in our harbor, and during 
fine weather, they seem to play with their compan- 
ions of other species. Now, with a spiral curve, 
they descend toward the water, support themselves 
with beats of the wing, decline their heads, and pick 
up a young heri'ing or some bits of garbage, when 
away they fly, chased by several others anxious to 
rob them of the prize. Noon has arrived. High 
above the mast-head of our largest man-of-war the 
Kittiwakes float gracefully in wide circles, until all, 
as if fatigued, sail downward again, with common ac- 
cord, towards the transparent deep, and, alighting 
close to each other, seem to ride safely at anchor. 
'I'here they now occupy themselves in cleaning and 
arranging their beautiful plumage.” The adult Kit- 
tiwake measures eighteen inches in length, and thirty- 
six inches in extent of wing. 
RED-LEGGED KITTIWAKE (Z. lremrostris).—\\\- 
habits the North Pacific, both Asiatic and American. 
IVORY GULL (Z. eierneus). — This is a Northern 
species, accidental on the coast of the United States ; 
common, in winter, in Labrador and Newfoundland- 
It breeds in high latitudes. The bill is bright yellow, 
greenish-dusky at the base ; iris, brown ; edges of 
eyelids, vermilion ; feet and claws, black. The whole 
of the plumage is pure white. Length, to end of tail, 
nineteen inches ; to end of wings, twenty and a lialf; 
extent of wings, forty-one. 
LAUGHING GULL (Z. atrieilla ). — Also called the 
Black-headed Gull. Inhabits tlie tropical and 
temperate parts of America, on the Atlantic side 
as far as Maine in summer; in the interior, to 
Ohio ; on the Pacific, as far as California. The 
Laughing Gull is noted for its propensity to harass 
the Brown Pelican. We have witnessed this at 'I’ortu- 
gas, where both birds are abundant. 'I’he Pelican, 
through having an enormous appetite, and having lit- 
tle skill in procuring its food, requires to fish during 
the larger portion of the day. Many individuals are 
accompanied by a Laughing Gull — never, to our 
knowledge, by more. 'I’he latter sits quietly on the 
water, awaiting events, fi’he Pelican rises, and flaps 
heavily over the water, his eyes intent on the surface. 
If the Pelican succeeds in catching anything in his 
net, after diving, the Gull is sure to be near enough 
to alight directly on his head or back, and quickly 
he snatches a portion of the game for himself. 'J’he 
Gull readily sees the result of the fishing, for if the 
Pelican does not catch anything, he (the Gull) quiet- 
ly drops into the water, to await events. 'J’he Pel- 
ican seems never to care for the disturbance, but 
goes on quietly to fish for more. A more striking 
example is not seen of contrast. 'I'he Pelican is the 
very embodiment of patience and perseverance, while 
the Gull is an example of the well-dressed fop who 
filches his living entirely by unfair means. Dr. Coues 
says that the White-headed Gull of California has the 
same habit, and lie adds, they are as truly parasitic 
as the Jagers themselves. Audubon says: “When 
the breeding season has commenced, tliey assemble in 
great numbers — thousands of pairs. At this time 
they are so clamorous as to stun your ear with their 
laughing cries, though at other seasons they are gen- 
erally silent, unless when suddenly aroused or when 
chased by the Jager.” ['I'his must be a mistake, for 
the Laughing Gulls at Tortugas keep up a continual 
ha-ha! during the day, the whole summer through]. 
“ 'i'heir loves are conducted with extreme pomposity. 
They strut and bow to the females, throwing their 
heads backward, as in the case of other species. 
You see them stretching their heads forwards, then, 
with open bill, vibrating tongue, and eyes all aglow- 
ing, they emit their loud, laughing notes, which, in a 
general sense, resemble .those of many other species, 
though they are not precisely similar to those of any. 
'I’his bird frequently associates with the Razor-bill, 
and now and then they will all rise on wing, as if 
frightened, and perform a few contortions in the air, 
and again settle in the same spot, still, however, 
keeping separate. While thus in the company of 
the Razor-bills, the Gulls are with great difficulty 
approached, the former being exceedingly wary, and 
almost always rising when a person draws near, the 
Gulls immediately following them, and the two great 
flocks making off to some distant point, generally 
not very accessible. If taken up when wounded, tliey 
are apt to bite severely. 'J’hey exhibit great sympa- 
thy for each other, endeavoring to rescue their com- 
panions when shot.” 
FRANKLIN’S ROSY GULL (Z. franllini).—Fc>\md 
in high latitudes of North America, and only in 
the interior. It ranges to Mexico, tlie West Indies, 
and as far south as Chili. In North America this 
bird seems to be confined to the region west of the 
Mississippi. Length about fourteen inches ; extent 
of wing, thirty-five. 
BONAPARTE’S GULL (Z. Philadelphia). — 'V\i\s 
species has a habitat in every part of the North 
American continent. No one of the Gulls is so 
widely dispersed. Coues says: “Considering in 
what high latitudes it breeds, it is astonishing how 
early toward the fall it again apjiears amongst us 
after its brief absence. 'I'he last birds have not all 
left the United States in May. Some time in August 
