ZOOLOGY—BIRDS. 
73 
its surface for some seconds. The specimen in the collection was obtained in January, at San 
Diego. 
STERNA HIRUNDO, Linn.—Common Tern. 
Sterna hirundo, Gmel. Syst. Nat. vol. I, part II, p. 606. — Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. VII, p. 97, pi. 433. — Ib. B. of A. 
Fol. pi. 309. 
Very abundant. Seen during the spring and summer coursing over the large marshes and 
lakes of the Sacramento valley, where they incubate. Their migration south begins with the 
approach of the inclement season. 
STERNA NIGRA, Linn .—Black Tern. 
Sterna nigra, Gmel. Syst. Nat. vol. I, part II, p. 608.— Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. VII, p. 116, pi. 438.— Rich. & Sw. F. 
Bor. Am. vol. II, p. 415. 
Sterna plumbea , Wils. Am Orn. vol. VII, p. 83, pi. 60, fig. 3. 
Abundant, and one of the most noisy birds of its genus, emitting its sharp note, crik, crik, 
as it flits over the water in search of its prey. When, from a flock, one of these birds is shot, 
the others, uttering cries of distress, fly for some time around the hunter, and plunge as if to 
aid their disabled or dead companion. The sportsman can, consequently, if so inclined, obtain 
many specimens before they are sufficiently alarmed to fly from danger. 
LARUS OCCIDENTALIS, Aud .—Western Gull. 
Larus occidentalis, Aud. B. of A Oct vol. VII, p. 161.'—Is. Orn. Biog. vol. V, p. 320. 
Found on the whole seaboaid of California. It is very abundant, as well as the greatest 
pest with which the egg hunters on the Farrallone Islands have to contend while gathering 
the eggs of the Mur re, ( Uria hrunnichii ,) which breeds here in countless numbers. 
At one o’clock every day, during the egg season, Sundays and Thursdays excepted, (this is 
to give the birds some little respite,) the egg-hunters meet on the south side of the island. 
The roll is called to see that all are present, that each one may have an equal chance in 
gathering the spoil. The signal is given, every man starting off at a full run for the most 
productive egging grounds. The gulls understanding, apparently, what is about to occur, are 
on the alert, hovering over head and awaiting only the advance of the party. The men rush 
eagerly into the rookeries ; the affrighted murres have scarcely risen from their nests before 
the gull, with remarkable instinct, not to say almost reason, flying but a few paces ahead of 
the hunter, alights on the ground, tapping such eggs as the short time will allow before the 
egger comes up with him. The broken eggs are passed by the men, who remove only those 
which are sound. The gull then returning to the field of its exploits, procures a plentiful 
supply of its favorite food. 
Mr. Audubon gives, as one of the marked characteristics of this species, that the ends of 
the first seven primaries are spotted with white, whereas only six of the blue back gull ( L . 
argentatus ) are marked in this manner. So slight a difference would scarcely warrant the 
introduction of a new species were there no other distinction, but having shot, one afternoon, 
some twenty or thirty on the wing, I found them indifferently with six or seven of the first 
primaries terminated with white. The back, however, of a deeper slate color instead of the 
light grayish blue of the L. argentatus, is a marked feature when the two are contrasted. 
10 S 
