of several species associate together, congregating at times in vast
numbers, and especially during low tides, on the outer margins of
sand-bars situated in estuaries. There you may hear them keeping up
an almost incessant cackle, and see them running about dressing their
plumage, or patiently waiting the rising of the waters, on which much
desired event taking place, they generally disperse, and fly off to
search for food. If disturbed while thus reposing, they shew greater
shyness, perhaps, than at any other time, and the loud note of alarm
from one of the group soon reaches your ear. Look at them now, Reader,
as they simultaneously spread their wings, and after a step or two
launch into the air, gradually ascend, and in silence rise to a great
height, performing extended gyrations, and advancing toward the open
sea.
It seldom happens that when one of the larger species is shot, its
companions will come to the rescue, as is the case with the smaller,
such as the Kittiwake, and the present species. I have thought it
remarkable how keenly and aptly Gulls generally discover at once
the intentions towards them of individuals of our own species.
To the peaceable and industrious fisherman they scarcely pay any
regard, whether he drags his heavy net along the shore, or patiently
waits until his well-baited hook is gulped below the dancing yet
well-anchored bark, over the side of which he leans in constant and
anxious expectation. At such a time indeed, if the fisher has had much
success, and his boat displays a good store, Gulls will almost assail
him like so many beggars, and perhaps receive from him a trifling yet
dainty morsel. But, on the opposite side of the bay, see how carefully
and suspiciously the same birds are watching every step of the man who,
with a long gun held in a trailing position, tries to approach the
flock of sleeping Widgeons. Why, not one of the Gulls will go within
three times the range of his murderous engine; and, as if to assure him
of their knowledge of his designs, they merely laugh at him from their
secure station.
When congregated during the love-season, their loquacity has never
failed to remind me of the impetuous, unmusical, and yet not unpleasant
notes of our thieving Red-winged Starlings. But when apart, and at all
times excepting the periods of pairing or breeding, or while some of
the smaller species are chased by their vigilant enemies the Jagers,
they are usually silent birds, especially when on wing. In rainy or
squally weather, they skim low over the water, or the land, always
against the wind, passing at times within a few feet of the surface.
Again, at such times, I have observed Gulls of every species with which
I am acquainted, suddenly give a shake or two to their wings, and
stop as it were for a moment in their flight, as if they had espied
something worthy of their attention below; but, on closely observing
them, I have become convinced that such manœuvres were performed only
with the view of readjusting their whole plumage, which had perhaps
been disarranged by a side current of wind.
All Gulls are wonderfully tenacious of life. When wounded or closely
pursued, they are very apt to disgorge their food, or to sustain
themselves against the agonies of death with uncommon vigour. They
appear indeed to be possessed of extraordinary powers of respiration,
through means of which they revive at the very moment when you might
conceive them to have actually reached the last gasp. I have seen
cases in which individuals of this tribe, after having been strongly
squeezed for several minutes across the body, and after their throats
had been crammed with cotton or tow, recovered as soon as the pressure
was remitted, and immediately attempted to bite with as much eagerness
as when first seized, when, by the by, they are wont to mute, as well
as when suddenly surprised and taking to wing. In certain states of
the atmosphere, Gulls, as well as other birds, appear much larger than
they actually are; and on such occasions, they, of course, seem nearer
than you would find them to be; for which reason, I would advise you,
Reader, to be on your guard, for you may be strangely misled as to the
distance at which you suppose the bird to be, and pull your trigger
merely to send your shot into the sand, far short from the Gulls or
other light-coloured birds in view.
Much confusion appears to exist among authors regarding our Laughing
Gull, and this, in my humble opinion, simply because not one of them
has studied it, in its native haunts, and at all seasons, since the
period when it was briefly characterized by our great master LINNÆUS,
who, after all that has been said against him, has not yet had his
equal. ALEXANDER WILSON, who, it seems, knew something of the habits
of this bird, thought it however identical with the _Larus ridibundus_
of Europe as is shewn by the synonyms which he has given. Others, who
only examined some dried skins, without knowing so much as the day or
even the year in which they had been shot, or their sex, or whether the
feathers before them had once belonged to a bird that was breeding, or
barren, when it was procured, described its remains perhaps well enough
for their own purpose, but certainly not with all the accuracy which is
necessary to establish once and for ever a distinct species of bird.
Others, not at all aware that most Gulls, and the present species in
particular, assume, in the season of pairing, and in a portion of the
breeding time, beautiful rosy tints in certain parts of their plumage,
which at other periods are pure white, have thought that differences
of this sort, joined to those of the differently-sized white spots
observable in particular specimens, and not corresponding with the
like markings in other birds of the same size and form, more or less
observable at different periods on the tips of the quills, were quite
sufficient to prove that the young bird, and the breeding bird, and the
barren bird, of one and the same species, differed specifically from
the old bird, or the winter-plumage bird. But, Reader, let us come to
the point at once.
At the approach of the breeding season, or, as I like best to term
it, the love season, this species becomes first hooded, and the white
feathers of its breast, and those of the lower surface of its wings,
assume a rich blush of roseate tint. If the birds procured at that time
are several years old and perfect in their powers of reproduction,
which is easily ascertained on the spot, their primary quills shew
little or no white at their extremities, and their hood descends about
three quarters of an inch lower on the throat than on the hind part of
the head, provided the bird be a male. But should they be barren birds,
_the hood will be wanting_, that portion of their plumage remaining as
during winter, and although the primaries will be black, or nearly so,
each of them will be broadly tipped, or marked at the end, with a white
spot, which in some instances will be found to be fully half an inch in
size; yet the tail of these birds, as if to prove that they are adults,
is as purely white to its extreme tip, as in those that are breeding;
but neither the breast, nor the under wing-coverts, will exhibit the
rosy tint of one in the full perfection of its powers.
The males of all the Gulls with which I am acquainted, are larger than
the females; and this difference of size is observable in the young
birds even before they are fully fledged. In all of these, however,
putting aside their sex, I have found great differences of size to
exist, sometimes as much as two inches in length, with proportional
differences in the bills, tarsi, and toes; and this, in specimens
procured from one flock of these gulls at a single discharge of the
gun, and at different seasons of the year. The colour of their bills
too is far from being always alike, being brownish-red in some,
purplish or of a rich and deep carmine in others. As to the white spots
on the extremities of the primary quills of birds of this family, I
would have you, Reader, never to consider them as affording essential
characters. Nay, if you neglect them altogether, you will save yourself
much trouble, as they will only mislead you by their interminable
changes, and you may see that the spots on one wing are sometimes
different in size and number from those on the other wing of the same
specimen. If all this be correct, as I assure you it must be, being the
result of numberless observations made in the course of many years, in
the very places of resort of our different Gulls, will you not agree
with me, Reader, that the difficulty of distinguishing two very nearly
allied species must be almost insuperable when one has nothing better
than a few dried skins for objects of observation and comparison?
The Black-headed Gull may be said to be a constant resident along
the southern coast of the United States, from South Carolina to the
Sabine River; and I have found it abundant over all that extent both
in winter and in summer, but more especially on the shores and keys of
the Floridas, where I found it breeding, as well as on some islands
in the Bay of Galveston in Texas. A very great number of these birds
however remove, at the approach of spring, towards the Middle and
Eastern Districts, along the shores of which they breed in considerable
numbers, particularly on those of New Jersey and Long Island, as well
15-1/2; extent of wings 24; wing from flexure 7-1/4; tail 2-7/12; bill
along the ridge 2-2/12. Weight 10-1/2 oz.
The young birds are similar to the female, but paler, and without the
green speculum.
In a male, the roof of the mouth is deeply concave, with a prominent
middle ridge, on which are a few blunt papillæ; on the upper mandible
are 50 lamellæ, on the lower about 65 below, and 85 above. The tongue,
8 twelfths long, large and fleshy, has two rows of lateral bristles.
The œsophagus is 8-1/2 inches long, 4 twelfths in diameter until the
middle of the neck, when it enlarges gradually to half an inch. The
proventriculus is 1-1/4 inch in length, with oblong glandules. The
stomach is a strong roundish gizzard, 1 inch and 2 twelfths long,
1-1/2 inch broad; its left muscle 7 twelfths thick, the right 6-1/2
twelfths; its cuticular lining or epithelium of moderate thickness
and longitudinally rugous. The intestine, 5 feet 1 inch long, varies
in diameter from 3 to 2 twelfths; the cœca are 2 inches 10 twelfths
long, cylindrical and rounded, their diameter 3 twelfths; the cloaca
globular. The contents of the stomach were gravel and seeds of plants.
The trachea is 6 inches and 2 twelfths long; its diameter at the top 4
twelfths, at the middle 2 twelfths, at the lower part 3-1/2 twelfths.
The inferior larynx is formed of three or four united rings, and has an
irregular roundish bony expansion on the left side. The number of rings
of the trachea is 98, of the bronchi about 25. The contractor muscles
are large; cleido-tracheales and sterno-tracheales. to reproduce
out of season, as it were. On some such occasions, when I was at St
Augustine, in the month of December, I have observed four or five
males of the present species paying their addresses to one female,
who received their courtesies with evident welcome. Yet the females in
that country did not deposit eggs until the 20th day of April. The most
surprising fact of all was, that, although these birds were paired, and
copulated regularly, by the 1st of February, not one had acquired the
spring or summer plumage, or the dark coloured hood, or the rosy tint
of the breast, nor lost the white spots on the tips of their primary
quills. This change, however, was apparent by the 5th of March, became
daily stronger, and was perfected by the 15th of that month. A few
exceptions occurred among the numbers procured at these periods, but
the generality of the birds were as above described.
Whilst at Great Egg Harbour, in May 1829, shortly after my return from
England, I found this species breeding in great numbers on the margins
of a vast salt marsh, bordering the sea-shore, though separated from
the Atlantic by a long and narrow island. About sunrise every morning,
an immense number of these birds would rise in the air, as if by
common consent, and wing their way across the land, probably intent
on reaching the lower shores of the Delaware River, or indeed farther
towards the head waters of Chesapeake Bay. They formed themselves into
long straggling lines, following each other singly, at the distance
of a few yards. About an hour before sunset, the same birds were seen
returning in an extended front, now all silent, although in the morning
their cries were incessant, and lasted until they were out of sight. On
arriving at the breeding ground, they immediately settled upon their
nests. On a few occasions, when it rained and blew hard, the numbers
that left the nests were comparatively few, and those, as I thought,
mostly males. Instead of travelling high, as they were wont to do in
fair and calm weather, they skimmed closely over the land, contending
with the wind with surprising pertinacity, and successfully too. At
such times they were also quite silent. I now and then observed some
of them whilst on wing, and at a considerable height, suddenly check
their course, as if to examine some object below; but on none of these
occasions did I see one attempt to alight, for it soon resumed its
wonted course, and rejoined its companions.
Now, Reader, though I am growing old, I yet feel desirous of acquiring
knowledge regarding the habits of our birds, and should much like to
learn from you the reasons why these gulls went off in lines from
their breeding grounds, and returned in an extended front? Was it,
in the latter case, because they were afraid of passing their nests
unknowingly; or, in the former, under the necessity of following an
experienced leader, who, under the stimulus of an empty maw, readily
undertook the office, but who, like many other bon-vivants, became in
the evening too dull to be of use to his companions?
This species breeds, according to the latitude, from the 1st of March
to the middle of June; and I have thought that on the Tortuga Keys,
it produced two broods each season. In New Jersey, and farther to the
eastward, the nest resembles that of the Ring-billed Gull, or Common
American Gull, _Larus zonorhynchus_, being formed of dried sea-weeds,
and land plants, two and sometimes three inches high, with a regular
rounded cavity, from four and a half to five inches in diameter, and
an inch and a half in depth. This cavity is formed of finer grasses,
placed in a pretty regular circular form. I once found a nest formed as
it were of two; that is to say, two pairs had formed a nest of nearly
double the ordinary size, and the two birds sat close to each other
during rainy weather, but separately, each on its own three eggs. I
observed that the males, as well as the females, thus concerned in
this new sort of partnership, evinced as much mutual fondness as if
they were brothers. On the Tortugas, where these Gulls also breed in
abundance, I found their eggs deposited in slight hollows scooped in
the sand. Whilst at Galveston, in Texas, I found their nests somewhat
less bulky than in the Jerseys, which proved to me how much birds are
guided in these matters by differences in atmospheric temperature and
locality.
I never found more than three eggs in a nest. Their average length is
two inches and half an eighth, their greatest breadth a trifle more
than an inch and a half. They vary somewhat in their general tint, but
are usually of a light earthy olive, blotched and spotted with dull
reddish-brown and some black, the markings rather more abundant towards
the larger end. As an article of food, they are excellent. These gulls
are extremely anxious about their eggs, as well as their young, which
are apt to wander away from the nest while yet quite small. They are
able to fly at the end of six weeks, and soon after this are abandoned
by their parents, when the old and young birds keep apart in flocks
until the following spring, when, I think, the latter nearly attain the
plumage of their parents, though they are still smaller, and have the
terminal band on the tail.
The Black-headed Gull frequently associates with the Razor-billed
Shearwater, _Rhynchops nigra_, in winter; and I can safely say that I
have seen more than a thousand of each kind alight on the same points
of estuaries and mouths of rivers; the Gulls standing or sitting by
themselves, at no great distance from the Razor-bills. Now and then
they would all suddenly rise on wing as if frightened, perform a
few evolutions in the air, and again settle on the very same spot,
still, however, keeping separate. While thus in the company of the
Razor-bills, the Gulls are with great difficulty approached, the former
being exceedingly wary, and almost always rising when a person draws
near, the Gulls immediately following them, and the two great flocks
making off to some distant point, generally not very accessible. If
taken up on being wounded, these gulls are apt to bite severely. If,
on being shot at, they fall on the water, they swim fast and lightly,
their companions all the while soaring above, and plunging towards
them, as if intent on rescuing them. This great sympathy often proves
fatal to them, for, if the gunner is inclined, he may shoot them down
without any difficulty, and the more he kills the more his chances are
increased.
On the 10th of May 1832, it was my good fortune to be snugly on
board the “Lady of the Green Mantle,” or, in other words, the fine
revenue cutter the Marion. The Gulls that laughed whilst our anchors
were swiftly descending towards the marvellous productions of the
deep, soon had occasion to be sorrowful enough. As they were in
great numbers, officers and men, as well as the American Woodsman,
gazing upon them from the high decks of the gallant bark, had ample
opportunities of observing their motions. They were all busily engaged
on wing, hovering here and there around the Brown Pelicans, intent on
watching their plunges into the water, and all clamorously teasing
their best benefactors. As with broadly extended pouch and lower
mandible, the Pelican went down headlong, so gracefully followed
the gay rosy-breasted Gull, which, on the brown bird’s emerging,
alighted nimbly on its very head, and with a gentle stoop instantly
snatched from the mouth of its purveyor the glittering fry that moment
entrapped!
Is this not quite strange, Reader? Aye, truly it is. The sight of these
manœuvres rendered me almost frantic with delight. At times, several
gulls would attempt to alight on the head of the same Pelican, but
finding this impossible, they would at once sustain themselves around
it, and snatch every morsel that escaped from the pouch of the great
bird. So very dexterous were some of the Gulls at this sport, that I
have seen them actually catch a little fish as it leaped from the yet
partially open bill of the Pelican. And now, Reader, I will conclude
this long article with some fragments from my journals.
Tortugas, May 1832.—Whilst here, I often saw the Black-headed Gull of
Wilson, sucking the eggs of _Sterna fuliginosa_, and _Sterna stolida_.
Our sailors assured me that these gulls also eat the young of these two
species of Terns when newly hatched.
Great Egg Harbour, May 1829.—Like all other gulls, the _Larus
Atricilla_ disgorges its food when attacked by a Lestris, or when
wounded, or suddenly surprised; but on all occasions of respite this
gull is apt to return to it, and vulture-like to swallow it anew. It
differs however from the larger species of gulls, by never, as far as
I have observed, picking up bivalve shells, for the purpose of letting
them fall to break them, and afterwards feed on their contents. On the
ground they walk with considerable alertness, and not without a certain
degree of elegance, especially during the love season. Whilst floating
or swimming on the water, they are graceful in a high degree, and when
seen, as they oftentimes are, in groups of many pairs, rising with,
or sinking amidst the billows, which ever and anon break on the sandy
shores of the coast, their alternate appearance brings to the mind of
the bystander ideas connected with objects altogether different from
the simple yet beautiful Laughing Gull.
April 1, 1837.—South-west pass of the Mississippi. _L. Atricilla_
abundant here at this season, as well as at New Orleans. Saw some
floating on logs during a heavy breeze. Not noisy yet, though they and
_L. zonorhynchus_ are in full spring dress (the old birds).
Barataria Bay, April 1837.—This species is abundant, following the
porpoises, whilst the latter are fishing, and attending on them, as
they do on the Brown Pelicans, which I saw here tormented by these
birds, as in the Floridas. These Gulls follow the Brown Pelicans
to their roosts, and along with them sit on grounded logs, at some
distance from the shores, to avoid the attacks of racoons and other
carnivorous animals.
Galveston Bay, April 26, 1837.—Black-headed Gulls are not unfrequently
seen hovering over the inner ponds of these islands, as if in search of
food. They are now all paired, and very noisy.
May 4.—I observed to-day that at the single cry of a Black-headed
Gull, all others within hearing at once came towards the caller, and
this never failed when any of them had found floating garbage on which
to feed. These, as well as all other gulls, pat the water with their
feet, their legs being partially extended, whilst assisting themselves
with the bill to pick up any floating food. At this time the whole
group emit a more plaintive single note than usual. They come not
unfrequently within a few yards of our vessel at anchor, and when the
food thrown to them is exhausted, they separate, and at once renew
their repeated cries. I observed that the few immature birds among the
old ones, were quite silent even when in the company of the adults.
When the young are nearly able to fly, they are by no means bad eating.
LARUS ATRICILLA, _Linn._ Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 225.—_Lath._
Ind. Ornith. vol. ii. p. 812.—_Ch. Bonaparte_, Synopsis of
Birds of the United States, p. 359.
BLACK-HEADED GULL, LARUS RIDIBUNDUS, _Wils._ Amer. Ornith.
vol. ix. p. 89. pl. 74. fig. 4.
BLACK-HEADED GULL, _Nuttall_, Manual, vol. ii. p. 291.
Adult Male in spring. Plate CCCXIV. Fig. 1.
Bill rather shorter than the head, nearly straight, moderately
stout, compressed. Upper mandible with its dorsal outline straight to
the middle, then curved and declinate, the ridge convex, the sides
rapidly sloping, the edges sharp and direct, the tip rather obtuse
but sharp-edged. Nasal groove rather long and narrow; nostrils in
its fore part, longitudinal, submedial, large, linear-oblong, broader
anteriorly, pervious. Lower mandible with the angle long and pointed,
the outline of its crura decurved anteriorly, that of the ridge
slightly concave and ascending, the sides erect and nearly flat.
Head of moderate size. Neck of ordinary length. Body compact. Feet
rather long, stoutish; tibia bare below for three-fourths of an inch,
covered behind with narrow scutella; tarsus compressed, anteriorly
covered with numerous curved scutella, laterally with small oblong
scales, posteriorly with small scutella. Toes slender, of moderate
length, covered above with numerous scutella; first extremely small,
second much shorter than fourth, third two-twelfths of an inch longer
than the latter; anterior toes connected by reticulated webs, the outer
and inner slightly marginate; claws small, slightly arched, compressed,
thin-edged, that of the middle toe with an expanded inner margin.
Plumage close, soft, and blended. Wings very long and pointed;
primaries tapering to a rounded point; first longest, second a
twelfth of an inch shorter, the rest rapidly diminishing; secondaries
broad, incurvate, and obliquely rounded, the inner straight and more
elongated. Tail of moderate length, even, of twelve broad, rounded
feathers.