22 
LAUGHIiTG GULL. 
This change, however, was apparent by the 5th of March, became daily 
stronger, and was perfected by the 15th of that month. A few exceptions 
occurred among the numbers procured at these periods, but the generality 
of the birds were as above described. 
While at Great Egg Harbour, in May, 1829, shortly after my return from 
England, I found this species breeding in great numbers on the margins of a 
vast salt marsh, bordering the sea-shore, though separated from the Atlantic 
by a long and narrow island. About sunrise every morning, an immense 
number of these birds would rise in the air, as if by common consent, and 
wing their way across the land, probably intent on reaching the lower-shores 
of the Delaware river, or indeed farther towards the head waters of Chesa- 
peake Bay. They formed themselves into long straggling lines, following 
each other singly, at the distance of a few yards. About an hour before 
sunset, the same birds were seen returning in an extended front, now all 
silent, although in the morning their cries were incessant, and lasted until 
they were out of sight. On arriving at the breeding-ground, they imme- 
diately settled upon their nests. On a few occasions, when it rained and 
blew hard, the numbers that left the nests were comparatively few, and 
those, as I thought, mostly males. Instead of travelling high, as they were 
wont to do in fair and calm weather, they skimmed closely over the land, 
contending with the wind with surprising pertinacity, and successfully too. 
At such times they were also quite silent. I now and then observed some 
of them whilst on wing, and at a considerable height, suddenly check their 
course, as if to examine some object below; but on none of these occasions 
did I see one attempt to alight, for it soon resumed its wonted course, and 
rejoined its companions. 
Now, reader, though I am growing old, I yet feel desirous of acquiring 
knowledge regarding the habits of our birds, and should much like to learn 
from you the reasons why these Gulls went off in lines from their breeding- 
grounds, and returned in an extended front? Was it, in the latter case, 
because they were afraid of passing their nests unknowingly ; or, in the 
former, under the necessity of following an experienced leader, who, under 
the stimulus of an empty maw, readily undertook the office, but who, like 
many other bon-vivants, became in the evening too dull to be of use to his 
companions ? 
This species breeds, according to the latitude, from the 1st of March to 
the middle of June ; and I have thought that on the Tortuga Keys, it 
produced two broods each season. In New Jersey, and farther to the 
eastward, the nest resembles that of the Ring-billed Gull, or Common 
American Gull, Larus zonorhynchus , being formed of dried sea-weeds and 
land plants, two and sometimes three inches high, with a regular rounded 
