Recent Occurrence of Iceland Gulls near New York.— During the 
past few years there have been some sight identifications of the Iceland Gull 
(Larus leucopterus ) near New York City, which indicate that this species, 
though rare, occurs here every year or two between the middle of January 
and end of March. In this connection attention is called to remarks on 
the occurrence of the Iceland Gull near Boston and its satisfactory identi¬ 
fication in life in 1 The Auk,’ July, 1908 (F. H. Allen, Larus kumlieni and 
other northern Gulls in the neighborhood of Boston, p. 296). As the 
validity of “ sight ” records depends on the circumstances under which 
they are made, we quote pertinent matters from the notes of the respective 
observers.— 
1906, March 5. Observations by Dr. W. H. Wiegmann. 
“ The following observations were made [on a single Iceland Gull] oppo¬ 
site the Hoboken terminal of the Lackawanna R. R. and adjacent northerly 
pier .... Size noticeably smaller than the numerous Herring Gulls present: 
body more bulky with shorter and broader wings: entire head, neck, under 
surface of wings and under parts, pure white: mantle lighter than in 
argentatus : bill yellow, no carmine spot observed; distal ends of primaries 
white .... Larus leucopterus would fly towards water, settle and pick up 
some drifted garbage; then was at a distance of less than 50 ft. from my 
position. I also saw the bird pass over me at 25 feet.” 
1912. Observations by Ludlow Griscom. 
“ Feb. 6th. Hudson River from Liberty St. Ferry. Just as I was 
leaving the slip, several gulls flew by about 50 yds. away, and I saw at once 
that one of them was one of the white-winged species, a fact immediately 
verified by my prism glasses. At first the birds flew away, but a minute 
later wheeled with the other gulls and hovered over the same spot while 
the ferry came nearer, giving perfect views. It [the Iceland Gull] was 
noticeably smaller than the Herring Gulls, the head and bill appearing 
much slighter and more slender. The bird was an adult pure white 
with pearl gray on mantle and wings. The red spot on the lower mandible 
was noted also. As the ferry camet'ery near indeed, all the gulls rose in the 
air and flew directly over my head at a maximum distance of 30 feet just 
clearing the upper deck, when every marking, except the red spot on the 
bill, could be seen with the naked eye.” 
“ March 29th. Central Park, New York City. 
Mr. S. V. LaDow and I saw an adult Iceland Gull with a large flock of. 
Herring Gulls on the Reservoir. The smaller size and slenderer head and 
bill was again noted .... [In my absence] the Iceland Gull approached 
within 20 feet of Mr. La Dow thus giving him an incomparable observa¬ 
tion.” 
1915 and 1916. Observations by J. T. Nichols. 
“ Feb. 13, 1915. Fort Lee Ferry, New York City. An immature 
plumaged Gull, paler and more, uniform than a young Herring, with the 
primaries largely white, seemed about the size of Herring Gulls which flew 
up with it from an ice-pan in the river. It could only have been an Iceland 
Gull or very small Glaucous Gull, in all probability but not positively the 
former.” 
“ Jan. 19, 1916. Twenty-third Street Ferry. New York City. An 
adult plumaged Iceland Gull seen nicely among Herring Gulls, though 
without glasses, at close range, from the front of the boat. The delicate 
grey of the mantle extended well out on the wing not sharply contrasted 
with its white tip. It was appreciably smaller than the Herring Gulls, 
the head and bill less heavy, and had an etherial look which I accredited to 
its having a paler mantle, although by then my chance had passed for 
direct comparison of the tone of same. Its head and neck were clouded 
with brownish, its feet pink.”— Ludlow Griscom and J. T. Nichols, 
New York City. 
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