254 
1870. 
Larus atricilla, 
July 1, 
1-4. 
About twenty-five pairs breeding on the island. 
Host quite large and bulky, but v/ithall neat and even, 
composed of dried grasses arranged in circular form, pla¬ 
ced usually in the beds of tall rank beech grass, that 
grevr upon one side of the island; some, however, wore 
found on the ivy ridges, among the Terns, but never any 
on the bare sand, or the sea beach,- Number of eggs 
varied from one to three (Muskegat). 
About tv/enty-five pairs breeding on Muskegat* 
Nests mostly in bods of tall, rank beech—grass on the 
west end of the island, some, however, 'in the stunted 
ivy with those of the Terns; all neatly co nstructed of 
dry grass circularly arranged. Eggs from one to three , 
All the birds seen ymro in perfect adult plumage. When 
a nest was approached the pair to which it belonged would 
come overhead sailing about just out of gunshot in per¬ 
fect silence. When vre v/ere v/ithin twenty yards of 
loss, however, they would burst out into their shrill 
laughter which vras immediately taken up by others all 
over the island. Those outbursts were an infalable 
guide to the vicinity of the nest, for they wore never 
uttered till we were close to the latter. The flight 
of these Gulls is graceful and beautiful. They v/ould 
often sail in pairs at a high elevation, reminding me of 
eagles. They wore very shy but v/hon one was killed 
its amibo and sometimes several others would hover over 
it. Their usual call-note is a loud ha-ha. Their 
shrill laughter is both unique and startling. Wo never 
saw them fishing near the island but they frequently 
alighted on the sand baszin company with Terns, The 
latter seemed to regard them with dislike alv/ays chasing 
them while flying. 
1874. 
June 18 
29. 
July 7, 
“1875. 
About a dozen on a sand bar in company with Terns 
They proved shy, rising high into the air and sailing in 
circles, uttering the usual wild laughing chorus-. (Mar- 
ston’s Mills, Mass.), 
flying about v/ith the Terns near the mouth 
of the Harbor, (Nantucket), 
During a visit to Muskegat saw only three spocimens 
but found a nest containing throe eggs. (Nantucket). 
July 20. 
Bav M^inr breeding on Breen Island, Casco 
Bay,Maine. After I had killed several of their number 
to remainder collected into a loose body and breasting* 
the rest of the one spot during 
tne rest of the afternoon, occasionally bursting ent i 
thexr wil. laughing „ry. Many patha IndTuuf 
