s, 2.80 x 1.75.

[Illustration 047: Grayish brown.]
[Illustration: Ring-billed Gull. California Gull.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 46

55. SHORT-BILLED GULL. _Larus brachyrhynchus._

Range.--Breeds from the interior of British Columbia northward to
Alaska; south in winter to Lower California.

The Short-billed or American Mew Gull is seventeen inches in length, has
a short, stout bill and is otherwise similar to the preceding species.
Nests on islands in the lakes and along the river banks of Alaska. The
nest is made of grass, weeds and moss and is placed on the ground. Early
in June the birds lay their set of three eggs, the ground color of which
is greenish brown marked with dark brown. Size 2.25 x 1.60.
Data.--Mackenzie River, N. W. T., June 18, 1900. Three eggs. Nest made
of seaweed and grass and placed on the ground on an island in the river.

56. MEW GULL. _Larus canus._

This is the European variety of the above species, breeding commonly
both in the British Isles and northern Europe. This species is given a
place in our avifauna because of its accidental appearance in Labrador.

57. HEERMAN'S GULL. _Larus heermanni._

Range.--Pacific Coast of North America from British Columbia south to
Panama, breeding chiefly south of the United States border.

A very handsome species, often called the White-headed Gull, and wholly
unlike any other; length seventeen inches. Adults, in summer, have the
entire head, neck and throat white, this shading quite abruptly into the
slaty upper and under parts; the primaries and tail are black, the
latter and the secondaries being tipped with white. The legs and bill
are vermilion. They are found off the coast of California, but are not
believed to breed there. They are known to breed on some of the islands
off the Mexican coast nesting on the ground the same as the other
species. The three eggs are greenish drab in color and are marked with
different shades of brown and lilac. Size 2.45 x 1.50.

[Illustration: Pale greenish-brown.]
[Illustration: Short-billed Gull. Heerman's Gull.]
[Illustration: Left hand margin.]

Page 47

58. LAUGHING GULL. LARUS ATRICILLA.

Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from the Gulf to Nova Scotia,
chiefly on the coast. A beautiful Gull, 16 inches long, with a dark
slate colored head, gray mantle, black primaries, and white neck,
underparts and tail. Bill and feet red. This bird has its name from its
peculiar laughing