Page:Condor16(3).djvu/13

May, 1914 BIRD NOTES FROM NETARTS BAY, OREGON 111 tion. All those seen in January had more or less of an oily substance coated in the feathers of the under parts, but whether or not this oily substance was the direct cause of their death, I am unable to say. Larus glaucescens. Glaucous-winged Gull. This species xvas seen com- monly during January. It was usually found with the still more common L. occidentalis. Larus occidentalis. Western Gull. Common both along the ocean beach and on the bay. During low tide hundreds of these gulls congregate on the ex- posed mud fiats where they find an abundance of food. The birds also catch many crabs in the shallow water, carrying them to the smooth, sandy beach, where they are torn apart and devoured. I have seen this gull tear open the breast of a surf-scorer and eat the entire body, leaving the skin. At other times the gulls will feed only on the eyes and brains of a bird, leaving the body. Fig. 37. NORTHERN PHALAROPE IN WINTER PLUMAGE. They also eat fish and other animal matter lhrown up by the tide, caring little whether it be fresh or decomposed, thereby proving their great value as scav- engers (see fig. 36). ?.arus californi?uz. California Gull. Large numbers of this gull were seen on Net,arts Bay on September 8, when a series of skins was collected. Larus brachyrhynchus. Short-billed Gull. Seen but once, on January 2, when two were seen, one of which was secured. Rissa tridactyla pollicaris. Pacific Kittiwake. A single example was found dead on the rocky beach near Cape Meares on March 13. Fulmarus glacialis glupischa. Pacific Fulmar. Several specimens were found dead on the beach from January ] to ]0, and the skins were preserved, showing the dark, mottled and light phases of plumage.