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OLDEST RING-BILLED GULL CHICK, July 22, 1955. General comments.

1.  Attack.  Like the Franklin's Gull chicks.

2.  Excape.  Like adults and the Franklin's Gull chicks.

3.  Alter posture.  Gaping and pecking.  Much like Franklin's Gull chicks. 

4.  Panic defense.  Gaping and pecking.  Much like Franklin's Gull chicks; but this bird seems to get much less upset, (will just sit quietly, very often, when I pick it up and handle it).

5.  Alarm Call.  Single high intensity Distress Call note.  Less polysyllabic than some, but each syllable very distinct.  Only heard it occassionally, when I pick the bird up.

6.  Whistle complex.  Very common sound; (I have difficulty provoking the other calls, but this one is always with us).  Sound much like the Whistle of the young Franklin's Gulls.  Characteristic, perhaps, with Hunched.  Not too uncommon with Head-bobbing.  Occurs with Head-tossing; (first noted around July 19th).  Occasionally accompanied by single and most peculiar Honks.  Apparently by-products.  Sometimes, probably very rarely, by Ruffle.

Aggressive Whistle complex.  This rather baffles me.  Hunched posture, or, moe commonly, Head-down Hunch.  Never (?) any Head-tossing or Head-bobbing.  Very often precedes attack.  Wings held out or drooping before attack, tail markedly raised.  Sometimes accompanied by Ruffle.  But not usually immediately before attack.

When Whistle accompanies Head-tossing, it usually accompanies the upward movement.  When Whistle accompanies Head-bobbing, it also, apparently, usually accompanies the upward movement, but there is great variation.

Some Whistles given from Erect posture; but I an not sure exactly how definate this pattern is.  May oly be first phase of Head-bobbing, without any second phases.

7.  Juvenile Long Call Note complex.  This is obviously a higher intensity pattern than the Whistle.  Less aggressive than the Juvenile Pumping Notes or some Whistles.  This is often the initial greeting sound, (less often than the Franklin's Gulls), usually followed by less aggressive Whistles is the second stage of greeting.

Generally occurs in much the same situations as the Juvenile Long Call Notes of the Franklin's Gulls; but I can't say anything about it as an aerial or landing pattern.  Sometimes accompanies "exercising" of the wings.

Perhaps most characteristic with Head-bobbing.  Usually, apparently, on the upbeat.  Not uncommon from Erect, (i.e. top phase of Head-bobbing).  Very rare or non-existent, in pure form, with other postures.

Can intergrade with both Whistles and Juvenile Pumping Notes.

No sign of an organized Long Call as yet.

8.  Juvenile Pumping Note conplex.  Sounds much like the corresponding call of the young Franklin's Gulls: (but it is more like the Whistle, and less like the Juvenile Long Call Note).  Obviously very aggressive.  Higher intensity than the Whistle.

Perhaps characteristic with Head-down Hunch.  Sometimes Squat.  Wings held out or drooped, tall markedly raised.  Sometimes accompanied by Ruffles; but less often, now at least, than I expect.

Have not noticed it with immediate pre-attack postures; but I would