54 
The tail and wing tip of the Herring Gull of the year are nearly black, but those of similar 
Glaucous-winged are decidedly mouse colour. In birds of this species assuming the adult 
blue mantle, the blue blends imperceptibly into the adjoining drab patches instead of 
forming piebald blotches. 
It may best be known from other similar Gulls of the coast by size and the details 
given under those species. See Ring-billed and California Gulls. 
Field Marks. Large size, grey wing tips or grey mantle and faded white wing tips. 
No characteristics can be given by which juveniles may be certainly recognized. 
Nesting. On the ground or rock ledges; nest scanty, of seaweed or waste vegetable 
matter. 
Distribution . Coast of north Pacific and Bering sea. Breeds from Washington 
northward. 
This is the common summer Gull of the west coast. It throngs the 
harbours and waterways, from whence, during the salmon run, a few wander 
far up rivers. Not otherwise known far inland and not recorded from the 
prairies. Much that has been said of the Herring Gull applies to this 
species. 
46. Nelson’s Gull. Larus nelsoni. L, about 24. About the same size and general 
appearance as the Herring Gull, but with slightly paler mantle and the colour pattern of 
the primaries reduced to a few grey flecks, rather variable in detail, on a white ground. 
A large western variety of the eastern Kumlein’s Gull. The only British Columbia record 
is a specimen from Vancouver island listed in the British Museum Catalogue of Birds. 
Only a few specimens have been taken and very little is known regarding it. 
49. Western Gull. Larus occidentalis. L, 24. Like the Herring Gull, but with a 
very dark mantle, lead-colour rather than light slaty or pearl grey. 
Distinctions. Dark, lead-coloured mantle, primaries black to base with onty sub- 
apical white mirror. Juvenile birds seem almost identical with Herring Gulls of similar 
ages, but the browns are of a blacker and bluer shade. 
Field Marks. Dark mantle, when adult, large amount of black with very little or no 
white to wing tips. The adult Herring and California Gulls, which are most likely to be 
mistaken for the Western Gull, have only the primary tips black. 
Nesting. On ledges, crannies, grassy hillsides, and similar localities by the sea. Neet 
of grasses, etc. 
Distribution. From Washington to lower California. Occasionally wandering north 
to Vancouver island. 
Most of the references in literature to this species on the British 
Columbia coast refer to the Herring Gull, On investigation it has been 
found to be very rare, though perhaps of regular occurrence after the 
breeding season. More information is desired concerning this species in 
Canada. At present we have only two localities absolutely substantiated, 
Comox and Clayoquot on Vancouver island. 
51. Herring Gull (Including Thayer’s Gull). Larus argentatus. L, 24. Plate 
III B. 
Distinctions. Several other Gulls so closely resemble this species, except for size and 
slight colour details, that considerable care must be used in identification. In autumn and 
winter, adult has head and neck flecked with ashy brown. Similar to Glaucous-winged 
Gull shown on Plate III A. 
The typical adult differs from the Ring-billed in being larger, having flesh-coloured 
(light pink) feet instead of yellow, and a suffused red patch on the lower mandible without 
any dark spot on bill. Note, however, that in birds coming into maturity the remains of 
the black bill of juvenility often resemble that of a Ring-billed ( See Figure 97). 
From the California it differs in being larger, feet flesh-coloured instead of pale green- 
ish, and bill with no black fleck next to the red spot 
It may be distinguished from the Western by a lighter mantle, pearl grey instead of 
leaden, and less black on the wings. 
