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64. Ring-billed Gull. Lams delawarensis. L, 19*75. Similar to the Herring and 
California Gulls, but slightly smaller, and having a 
black ring about the bill near the tip (Figure 97) 
and with yellow legs and feet. 
Distinctions, Smaller size, lack of red and the 
presence of dark ring on bill, and yellow legs, 
differentiate the Ring-bill from the Herring Gull. 
From the California Gull, smaller size, in duly 
sexed specimens, and lack of red on the bill. 
From the Short-billed Gull, larger size and 
presence of dark ring on bill. 
In juvenility, distinctions are finer. The following 
schedule of characters may assist: 
Medium-sized Gull. L, 19*75. 
Comparatively light, much spotted; tail mottled, with extensive 
subterminal band; bill dark, with flesh-coloured base, feet 
dark or flesh-coloured First autumn 
Light; tail white with conspicuous band; bill yellowish with more 
or less ring; feet yellowish or flesh-coloured Immature 
Light; tail white; bill yellow or greenish yellow with dark ring; 
feet yellow; eyelids and gapes red . . Adult 
The Ring-billed Gull in first year is the lightest coloured of the larger Gulls, even at 
this time showing indications of the blue mantle on the back. Underparts nearly pure 
white, peppered with sparse, fine, dark bands. This and the sharp terminal tail bar will 
distinguish it from the Herring Gull and usually from the California. Size and general 
spottiness of the younger birds are probably the best criteria for separation from the 
Snort-billed. 
Field Marks. Size, decidedly smaller than the Herring Gull and slightly smaller than 
the California, larger than the Short-billed. The ring on the end of the bill is distinctive. 
Differentiated from the Herring Gull also by yellow instead of flesh-coloured legs. 
In juvenility, the whitest of the young of the larger Gulls. Decidedly lighter than the 
dark Herring Gull of the first year and with a tail bar that is never present in that species. 
More spotty than similarly juvenile California or Short-billed Gulls. Eye-sight records in 
juvenility are not very reliable in localities where the two latter species may be expected. 
Nesting. On the ground, on rocky, stony, or marshy shores. 
Distribution. Across the continent, breeding over most of eastern and central Canada 
north to Great Slave lake. No records of breeding in British Columbia, but probably 
does so in the northern interior. Common on the coast in migration. 
This is probably the commonest of the large Gulls throughout the 
interior, and the one most often seen on or about the lakes and sloughs 
of the prairie region. 
Bill of Ring-billed Gull; 
scale, L 
55. Short-billed Gull. American mew gull. Lams brachyrhynchus. L, 17*50. 
Similar in coloration to the Herring Gull, but the smallest of this type of coloration. 
Distinctions. Its clear yellow bill without dark or red spot or ring, is distinctive from 
all others except the Kittiwake. Its feet and legs are yellowish or yellowish green similar 
to its two larger relatives. Likely to be confused only with the Ring-billed or perhaps the 
California. When juvenile it may at times be difficult to distinguish from either of these. 
The following schedule may assist: 
Small Gull, L, 17*50. 
Evenly dark; tail evenly dark; bill dark, flesh-coloured at base; 
feet brownish or flesh-coloured First autumn 
Light, clouded and speckled; tail white with subterminal bar; 
bill dark or dark greenish; feet light greenish Immature 
Light; tail white: bill yellow; feet yellowish green; eyelids 
brown, gape red Adult 
