53 
40. Kittiwake (Including Pacific Kittiwake). Rissa tridactyla. L, 16. A medium- 
sized Gull of the same general coloration as the Herring Gull (See page 64). 
Distinctions. May always be know by the almost total absence, or rudimentary con- 
dition, of the hind toe (Figure 95). The tail is also slightly 
forked, the outer feathers being a quarter to half an inch 
longer than the centre ones. 
Most like the Short-billed Gull in Bize and coloration, but 
has the black wing tips without subapical white spots. Dark 
brown or black legs and feet and evenly yellow bill will dis- 
tinguish it from any other gull with which it might be confused. 
The juvenile Kittiwake, unlike juveniles of most other 
Gulls, is not brownish or clouded anywhere with any shade of 
ash. The white below is always pure and the mantle clear 
slaty. There is a dark aural spot, a heavy band of dark about the base of the hind neck, 
and another along the greater wing-coverts, making a bar across the base of the flight shafts. 
The tail has a subterminal bar. 
Field Marks. The smallest of the Herring Gull type of coloration. The lack of white 
spot on wing tip, and dark legs are probably the best field marks. The tail is slightly 
forked when closed, and when fully spread is squarer than in other comparable species. 
The species is rare in our waters and should be identified with caution. 
Nesting. On shelves and ledges or perpendicular sea-cliffs. 
Distribution. A strictly maritime species, not found in the interior. Inhabits both 
seacoasts, more common east than west. In the west, breeding south to Alaska 
peninsula and only a casual migrant to British Columbia. Occasionally recorded from 
Queen Charlotte islands and southern Vancouver island. 
SUBSPECIES. The west coast form of the Kittiwake is the Pacific Kittiwake 
Rissa tridactyla pollicaris, separated from the eastern type form by slightly more distinctly 
formed hind toe, and claw, slightly less amount of black on primary tips, and rather larger 
size, and longer, more tapering bill. The distinctions, however, are slight and based on 
averages rather than individuals. 
41. Red-legged Kittiwake. Rissa brevirostris. L, 15. A Kittiwake with darker 
mantle and coral-red legs, inhabiting the Alaskan coast of Bering sea, but which has not 
yet been recorded on the British Columbia coast. One record from Fortymile, Yukon 
Territory. 
42. Glaucous Gull, burgomaster. Lams hyperboreus. L, 28. The largest of 
our west coast Gulls. Of Herring Gull type of coloration, but mantle very pale and wing 
tips white. In the adult the mantle is only tinged with grey and younger specimens are 
nearly white, being only clouded with brownish or brownish cream. Birds of the year 
are slightly barred with ashy brown. 
Distinctions. large size, general whiteness, and brown to flesh-coloured legs. 
Field Marks. Size, general coloration, and lack of black wing tips. 
Distribution. The northern coasts from Newfoundland to Bering sea. Only an 
occasional winter visitor to British Columbia waters. Not as yet detected inland except, 
perhaps, as a straggler on the big lakes of Mackenzie region. 
Nesting. On the ground, nest of seaweed or vegetable fragments. 
SUBSPECIES. It has been proposed to separate the Glaucous Gull of the west coast 
from that of the east coast under the name Point Barrow Gull Lams hyperboreus barro- 
vianus, on the basis of slightly smaller size. The form has not yet been recognized by 
the American Ornithologists’ Union, but it may be the basis of the occasional reports of 
the Iceland Gull on the west coast of the continent. 
44. Glaucous-winged Gull. Larus glaucescens. L, 25. Plate III A. A Herring 
Gull with grey instead of black wing tips. It is to be noted that the bird in the 
coloured plate shows the autumn or winter plumage with the crown and neck clouded 
with ashy. 
Distinctions. The soft grey patterned wing tips are always distinctive of this species. 
Some juveniles and worn adults have practically white primaries and in this condition 
could easily be mistaken for Glaucous Gulls were the mantle lighter. Younger birds are 
difficult to distinguish from similar ages of Herring Gulls. In comparable plumages this 
species is constantly lighter in colour and the back is of finer and less decided pattern. 
Figure 95 
Foot of Kittiwake; 
scale, 
