276 
ZOOLOGY. 
Two gulls, supposed by me to be specimens of L. belcheri, Vigors , but retained under the 
synonym of heermanni , by Mr. Lawrence, in the General Report, were obtained in the Straits of 
Fuca, near Whidby’s island, Washington Territory, in August, 1856. At that season they are 
quite common about the lower part of Puget Sound, but they retire southward before cold 
weather. 
This species, unlike the ring-billed and many other gulls, does not seem to be fond of feeding 
on the shores and bare flats, but is almost always (in that vicinity at least) found on the help 
beds floating in the deep water some distance from shore. Whether they are attracted to these 
kelp beds by the hopes of finding small shell-fish in the upturned and net-like roots of such 
plants as, detached from their fastenings on the bottom, have become entangled together and 
with others in situ , or because these floating islands afford a convenient resting place where they 
can rest to a great extent secure from their enemies of the land, I cannot say; but presume that 
the presence of a supply of food must be a great inducement. It was from one of these collec¬ 
tions of kelp that I shot my two specimens. While being skinned they emitted a very rank 
disagreeable odor, much stronger and more unpleasant than that of the ring-billed species. 
Both my gulls had bright red bills.—S. 
Early in September large flocks of this gull begin to enter Shoalwater bay with the terns 
and pelicans. They remain about two months before retiring southward fishing for the herrings 
which come at that season. Though quite rapid in flight, and well able to supply themselves 
with food, they have a curious habit of “sponging” on the pelicans and large gulls. Often a 
long train of pelicans is seen, as the tide is rising, slowly wandering round the bay, each one 
attended by one or two of these gulls, which are usually some distance behind. 
Whenever a pelican awkwardly plunges into the water and emerges with its enormous scoop- 
net full of fish, its parasites are sure to be ready and fearlessly seize the fish from its very jaws, 
the stupid bird never resenting the insult, or appearing to take the least notice of the little 
pilferer, which it could easily rid itself of by one blow, or even swallow them alive. The 
large gulls being poorer fishers, and perhaps less easily robbed, are not so often honored by 
the company of this uninvited guest, while the terns are entirely too quick to be made useful 
by it. When no pelicans are present these gulls will fish for themselves, and often accompany 
the western gull along the edge of the rising tide, wading in after small fish. 
In July, 1855, I observed for several days, from the top of Cape Disappointment, flocks of 
gulls flying northward, together with pelicans, at a short distance from the beach. A few 
entered the mouth of the Columbia one day, and I obtained one. It seemed to be of this species, 
having the red bills and same proportions, but was smaller, and with a white head, tail, and 
rump, blotched with gray, resembling Heermann’s gull in colors, though larger. None of these 
were seen in the flocks in September. I agree with Mr. Lawrence and Dr. Suckley in consid¬ 
ering this the L. belcheri of Vigors, and our specimens agree with his measurements, excepting 
the wing. Mr. Cassin’s measurements may have been from shrunken skins, though only an 
inch less in length than the specimen last mentioned.—C. 
CHROICOCEPHALUS PHILADELPHIA, (Ord,) Lawrence. 
Bonaparte’s Gull. 
Slema Philadelphia, Ord, Guthrie’s Geog 2d Am. ed II, 1815, 319. 
Lams capistratus, B nap. Syn. 1828, No. 293. 
Larus bonapartei, Rich & Sw. F. B. A. II, 1831, 425; pi. Ixxii.— Nutt. Man. II, 1834, 294.— Aud. Birds Am. VII, 
1844, 131; pi. ccccxlii. 
Cliroicocephalus Philadelphia, Baird & Lawrence, Gen. Rep. Birds, 855. 
