'THE GREAT BLACK-BACKET) GTTLL. 
bl 
Coast I am unable to say. Some are seen scattered along our sea-shores, 
from the Floridas to the middle States, there being but few old birds among 
them ; but the species does not become abundant until beyond the eastern 
extremities of the Connecticut and Long Island, when their number greatly 
increases the farther you proceed. On the whole of that extensive range^ 
these birds are very shy and wary, and those which are procured are merely 
“ chance shots.” They , seldom advance far up the bays, unless forced to do 
so by severe weather or heavy gales ; and although I have seen this bird 
on our great lakes, I do not remember having ever observed an individual 
on any of our eastern rivers, at a distance from the sea, whereas the Larus 
argentatus is frequently found in such places. 
Towards the commencement of summer, these wandering birds are seen 
abandoning the waters of the ocean to tarry for awhile on the wild, shores 
of Labrador, dreary and desolate to man, but to them delightful as affording 
all that they can desire. One by one they arrive, the older individuals first. 
As they view from afar the land of their birth, that moment they emit their 
loud cries, with all the joy a traveller feels when approaching his loved 
home. The males sooner or later fall in with the females of their choice, 
and.together they proceed to some .secluded sand-bar, where they fill the air 
with their furious laughs until the rocks echo again. Should the student of 
nature happen to be a distant spectator of these meetings, he too must have 
much enjoyment. Each male bows, mpves around his mate, and no doubt 
discloses to her the ardour of his love. Matters are managed to the satis- 
faction of all parties,, yet day after day for awhile, at the retreat of the 
waters, they meet as if by mutual agreement. Now you see them dressing 
their plumage, now partially expanding their wings to the sun ; some lay 
themselves comfortably down on the sand, while others, supported by one 
foot, stand side by side. The waters again advance, and the Gulls all move 
off in search of food. At length the time has arrived ; small parties of a 
' few pairs fly towards the desert isles. Some remain in the nearest to prepare 
their nests, the, rest proceed, until each pair has found a suitable retreat, 
and before a fortnight has elapsed, incubation has commenced. 
The nest of this species is usually placed on the bare rock of some low 
island, sometimes beneath a projecting shelf, sometimes in a wide fissure. 
In Labrador it is formed of moss and sea-weeds carefully arranged, and has 
a diameter of about two feet, being raised on the edges to the height of five 
or six inches, but seldom more than two inches thick in the centre, where 
feathers, dry grass, and other materials are, added. The eggs are three, and 
in no instance have I found more. They are two inches and seven-eighths in 
length, by two inches and one-eighth in breadth, broadly ovate, rough but 
not granulated, of a pale earthy greenish-grey colour, irregularly blotched 
Vol. VIII.— 8 
