Except in Winter these Gulls are seldom seen on the seashore. They spend three-quarters of the year on inland western lakes and follow a plow with keen eyes, allowing few grubs, insects or mice to escape. From Utah and the Dakotas they range thru the barren ground to the Arctic coast, congregating in thousands on some lake favorable for family cares. One observer states that a bird remained within a few feet of his outstretched hand while the steamer drove at fifteen knots into a fifteen-mile wind. There the airmaster hung without a wing-beat, merely adjusting pinions and tail to the varying currents.
Parents are strict disciplinarians, keeping their youngsters within home limits altho the children can run and swim a few days after leaving the eggs.
Western North America. From northern Mackenzie to Wyoming, northeastern California and North Dakota. South in Winter to Lower California.