16 AUKS, MURRES, AND PUFFINS 



Mr. Preble, who found these inurrelets common at Neah Bay, Wash- 

 ington, reports that they were almost invariably seen in pairs and 

 that they were difficult to approach, as they dived at the slightest 

 alarm. 



25. Brachyramphus hypoleucus Xantus. XANTUS MURRELET. 



Upper parts plain dark slaty ; under parts and lining 1 of wing' pure white. 

 Length : 9.60-10.50, wing 4.50-5.25, bill .70-.80. 



Distribution. Southern and Lower California from Santa Barbara 

 Island to Cape St. Lucas. 



Mr. Griunell writes from Los Angeles that this murrelet is fre- 

 quently seen in the Santa Barbara Channel at all seasons. 



GENUS CEPPHUS. 



29. Cepphus COlumba Pall. PIGEON GUILLEMOT. 



Bill black, straight, and slender, upper edg-e of nostril feathered ; 

 ^____^ feet bright red in summer, pink in winter. 



Breeding plumage : black, except for large 

 white patch on base of wing- which half in- 

 closes a black triangle. Winter plumage : 

 wings and tail as in summer, rest of plum- 

 age mainly white, varied above and some- 

 times below with black. Young : similar to 

 winter adults, but white of wings obscured 

 by dusky, tips of quills marked with white. 

 Length: 13-14. wing 0.90-7.30, bill 1.20-1.40. 

 Distribution. Coast of the Pacific from 

 southern California to the Aleutian Islands, 

 37 and to northern Japan. 



Eggs. As found by Dr. Dall, 2, at the 

 bottom of a hole under the rocks near the water's edge. 



In Alaska Mr. Nelson found the pigeon guillemot one of the most 

 abundant of the larger water birds, occurring wherever the coast 

 was bordered by bold headlands or where there were precipitous 

 islands. He says that their bright red legs and white wing patches 

 make them very conspicuous. They are graceful swimmers and 

 have the amusing habit of putting their heads under water and pad- 

 dling along their headless bodies. 



Mr. Bryant, who has watched them at the Farallones, says that 

 when at rest they squat like ducks on the rocks. Before brooding 

 begins they often sit in groups, and when disturbed stand up, open 

 their bills, and salute each other or their returning fellows with a 

 whistling cry. 



GENUS URIA. 



30a. Uria troile californica (Bryant). CALIFORNIA MURRE. 



Bill narrow and slender, nostril concealed in feathers ; a deep groove in 

 feathers back of eye. Breed ing plumage : upper parts slaty or blackish, sec- 



