48 



North American Birds Eggs. 



[85,] Giant Fulmar. Ossifraga giganfra. 



Range. — This Petrel is a native of the southern seas and is only easually met 

 with off the Pacific coast. 



It is the largest of the family being about three feet in length, and is 

 normally a uniform sooty color, although it has light phases of plumage. 

 They nest in December on many of the islands south of Africa and South America, 

 laying their single white egg on the bare rocks. 



86. Fulmar. Fuhnaru-s glarialis. 



Range. — Noi'th Atlantic coasts from New England northward, breeding from 

 Hudson Bay and southern Greenland northward. 



This bird which is 19 inches in length, in the light phase has a plumage 

 very similar to that of the larger Gulls. They nest by thousands on the 

 rocky islands of the north, often in company with Murres and Gulls. Owing to 

 the filthy habits of the Fulmars, these breeding grounds always have a 

 nauseating odor, which is also imparted to, and retained by the egg shell. 

 Their single white eggs are laid on the bare rocks, in crevices of the cliffs, often 

 hundreds of feet above the water. Size 2.90 x 2. Data. — St. Kilda, off. 

 Scotland. June 5, 1897. Single egg laid on rock on side of sea cliff. Collector, 

 Angus Gillies. 



[White.] 



86 b. Pacific Fulmar. Fafinctrvs glarialis gl UjiixcJia. 



This sub-species of the preceding, has a darker mantle than the common 

 Fulmar; it is found on the northern Pacific coasts where it breeds on the high 

 rocky cliffs, the same as it's eastern relative. They nest in large colonies, 

 every crevice in the rocks having its tenant. Their flight is graceful like that 

 of the Gulls, which they closely resemble. They lay but a single white egg, 

 the average dimensions of which are slightly smaller than those of the common 

 Fulmar. ' Data.— Copper Is. Alaska. "May 14, 1889. Egg laid in a crevice 

 among the cliffs. 



