GULLS 
233 
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 
(Figure 339). 
The species is rare except on eastern coast and should be identified elsewhere with 
caution. 
Nesting. On shelves and ledges on perpendicular sea-cliffs. 
Distribution. A strictly maritime species, not found in the interior. Inhabits both 
seacoasts, more common east than west. Breeding south in the east to the Gulf of St. 
Lawrence, in the west to Alaska Peninsula and only a casual migrant to British Columbia. 
Occasionally recorded from Queen Charlotte Islands and southern Vancouver Island. 
SUBSPECIES. The Eastern representative of this species is the Atlantic Kittiwake 
(la Mouctte ou Mauve a trois doigts de l’AtlantiqueJRissa tridaciyla Iridadyla. The west 
coast form of the Kittiwake is the Pacific Kittiwake (la Mouette ou Mauve a trois doigts 
du Pacifique) 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. la moitette ou mauve X pattes rouges. Rissa 
breviroslris. 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. 
61. Ross’s Gull, ross’s rosy gull, wedge-tailed gull, la mouette ou mauve 
ros£e. Rhodostethia rosea. L, 14 (Projection of centre tail feather, l). A pale-mantled 
gull with white head and fine black collar line. Tail wedge-shaped, graduated from long 
centre feather (Figure 341). 
Figure 341 
Ross’s Gull; scale, about 1. 
Figure 342 
Wing of Ross’s Gull; 
scale, L 
Distinctions. The Arctics. The above description of adult is unlike any other bird it 
is likely to be compared with. The juvenile resembles, in general, parallel plumages of the 
black-headed gulls. The secondaries and secondary coverts of Ross’s Gull are largely 
white (Figure 342), showing even more white than Sabine’s Gull, and the tail is wedge- 
shaped instead of forked (Figure 341, compare with 343). 
Field Marks. A small white-headed gull with large amount of white in wings (Figure 
342) and a wedge-shaped tail. 
Nesting. On the ground, near tundra lakes and ponds. 
Distribution. The high Arctic regions, nearly circumpolar. Reported to breed in 
northeastern Asia and Greenland, but not reported as doing so north of American con- 
tinent. 
This species is one of the very rarest of the gulls and has not been 
recorded south of Norton Sound, Alaska. Within Canadian limits we 
have only a few scattered records from the Arctic Islands. It is not to be 
expected elsewhere in Canada. 
