When standing the bird was clearly smaller than the adjacent Bonaparte's Gulls. It had a stronger black cap
which extended forward forming points toward each eye and wrapping around the rear of the crown recalling the cap
of a Common Tern. The forehead was white, but faint dark gray streaks extended from the cap forward to the forecrown.
The nape was a mixture of charcoal and gray resulting in a rough texture.
The bill was black, thin and very small compared to the Bonaparte's Gulls. An obvious dark spot was visible
behind each eye. These spots could be seen from the back of the head giving the bird the appearance of eyes behind
its head. These spots were approximately twice the size of the real eyes, which were also black
The short red legs were much darker than the light pink legs of the numerous Bonaparte's Gulls. The legs were
so short that the bird waddled from side to side when walking on the mud and in the shallow water.
The mantle was gray, about a half shade darker than the Bonaparte's. This gray extended forward onto the side
of the neck and contrasting abruptly with the white giving the effect of a wide open vest. All the remiges were
white tipped and a faint, very narrow white scapular crescent was present.
Otherwise the body was all white with a faint pink tinge on the underparts visible only in certain lights. This
color was so faint that it may have been mostly imagination, but I don't think so. Robbie was not able to detect
it. The tail was also white, short and square in shape.
In flight the black underwing linings were very obvious as they contrasted with the white trailing edge of the
wings. When preening it was possible to see the white primary tips, with black on the inner webs (visible from
below) and gray outer webs (visible from above).
In flight the wings appeared relatively broader and rounder at the tip. The body appeared slimmer, but the head
proportionately larger giving a more torpedo-shape compared to the Bonaparte's Gulls. The flight appeared to be
more direct and less graceful than the Bonaparte's.
Robbie Fischer and I decided
to look for the adult Little Gull which had been reported from the south end of Mystic Lake (an ephemeral lake
at in San Jacinto Valley). We followed directions from Gilman Springs Road to Bridge Street and parked near an
open section at the south end of the lake. Soon I spotted the Little Gull flying back and forth in the company
of numerous Bonaparte's Gulls. I watched in the scope for several minutes. Then it landed near some White Pelicans
and Bonaparte's Gulls and we were able to study it in excellent light as it preened. It flew a couple of more times
and finally flew out of sight to the east.