NO. 2298. TRE QUANO BIRDS OF PERV—COKER. 509 



region and in the Bay of Independencia, 60 is the largest number I 

 have seen in one group. 



Another striking observation of Raimondi's is in regard to the 

 diving petrel or ''potoyunco" (Pelecanoides garnoti), and is expressed 

 as follows (translated) : 



Finally, the Puffinurias, in my opinion are the birds which produce the greater 

 quantity of guano; as much for the quantity which each deposits, as for the incalculable 

 number which inhabit these islands. It appears also that these birds are continually 

 diminishing in the north island, being found only toward the southeast part of the 

 island; while on the middle and southern islands they are found in all parts. Like 

 the preceding (Spheniscus humboldtii) they live under the guano at a depth of 1 or 

 2 feet, having thus with their galleries mined the whole southern part of the north 

 island; so that one may not make a step in this part without sinking to the knees.' 



It is surprising that Raimondi should ascribe to the penguin, as 

 well as to the diving petrel, the habit of burrowing under the guano. 



He goes on then to describe how the Chinese peons destroy great 

 quantities of these birds, taking them from their subterranean nests 

 and preserving the meat by drying in the sun. This unfortunate 

 night work still continues, being followed not only by the laborers 

 on the island, but by the fishermen of San Andres near Pisco, who 

 make a practice of salting the birds to eat or to sell subsequently at 

 home. 



The potoyuncos are now foimd on all islands of this region, but 

 there are not enough left on the islands of the Chincha and Ballestas 

 groups for anyone to attach especial importance to the amomit of 

 their guano production. Their chosen home, at the time of my 

 observations, was the lofty San Gallan, whose long hillsides are in 

 many places undermined by the crowded burrows of these little 

 birds, from the hard saline crust at the base of its sweepmg slopes 

 up to the grassy summits of the peaks that are lost to view in the 

 clouds. Even here, much as one may be impressed by the com- 

 parative abundance of these interesting birds, or by the persistence 

 with which they will ascend into the very clouds in the vain endeavor 

 to find a safe retreat for their tunnels, one can not ascribe to them a 

 relatively great economic value. The divmg petrels, too, we must 

 conclude, have been greatly reduced in numbers. 



Finallj^, although there is little in the statements of the WTiters 

 mentioned to show that the pelican was ever much more abundant 

 than now, I had too much testimony from various sources, and too 

 much independent evidence, to doubt for a moment, not only that 

 this bird was much reduced m numbers, but that it was tending 

 toward elimination as a commercially significant guano producer. 



As bearmg upon the changes of aspect in the bird life of the island 

 reference should be made to the phenomenal disappearance of some 



« Raimondi, A. El Peru, 1902 (1874), p. 495. 



