Thanks to George and David on their prompt replies to my request. I do have the December Birding but hadn't got around to reading it in depth. I seemed to recall that I had noted something on the gull in Birding and went through several past issues, but not the one still on the coffee table. What can I say! This article, together with John Irvine's post of last January which David was kind enough to repost, should aid greatly in identifying the bird. Thanks again. Now if the weekend weather forecast of freezing rain and snow would only change. Ralph Wall Great Falls, Va.