12 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



Islands during the breeding season, which begins about the middle 

 of May. 



For its nesting place this Auk selects a deep crevice in the face of 

 some inaccessible cliff; the cavity is often winding, and it is exceed- 

 ingly difficult to obtain the eggs. Even on islands where hundreds of 

 these birds are found breeding the cavities can not be opened, except 

 by the means of dynamite or blasting powder, which, if used, would 

 destroy the eggs. A single egg is deposited on the bare surface of the 

 cavities; it is generally an oblong-oval shape with rounded ends, 

 chalk-white or bluish in color, and the shell rough. The average 

 size is 2.12 x 1.46. 



18. Simorhynchus cristatellus (PALL.) [748.] 



Crested Anklet. 



Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, from Kadiak and Japan northward. 



The Crested or Snub-nosed Auk, like the last, inhabits the coasts 

 and islands of the North Pacific. This little bird has a beautiful crest 

 on the forehead of twelve to twenty feathers ; it is about two inches 

 long, and curls gracefully forward upon the bill. Its nesting habits are 

 like those of the C. psittaculus. On the islands of Bering Sea its 

 breeding season extends from May to August. The egg averages 



2.14 x 1.45. 



20. Simorhynchus pusillus (PALL.) [750.] 



Least Auklet. 



Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, from Sitkaand Japan northward to Bering's Strait. 



One of the most characteristic of the waterfowl frequenting the 

 Prybilof Islands, Bering Sea. By the ist to the 6th of June they 

 arrive in great numbers on these islands, and begin to lay. It is said 

 to be comically indifferent to the proximity of man, and can be ap- 

 proached almost within an arm's length before taking flight, sitting 

 upright and eyeing one with great wisdom and profound astonish- 

 ment. Dr. Coues says: "This curious little bird, the smallest of 

 all the Auks, and one of the least of all water birds, inhabits the 

 coasts and islands of the North Pacific, resorting to favorite breeding 

 places by millions, with >S. psittaculus and S. cristatellus. The nesting 

 is similar, the single egg being laid in the recesses of rocky shingle 

 over the water; size 1.55x1.12."! The bird is not known to come 

 south so far as the United States. 



21. Synthliboramphus antiquus (GMEL.) [753 759-1 



Ancient Mnrrelet. 



Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, from Sitka and Japan northward. Accidental in Wis- 

 consin. 



The Black-throated Guillemot, or Murrelet, is found in the Pacific 



fKey to North American Birds, p. 809. 



