932 



THE CALIFORNIA JMURRE. 



Itiijks like- an i )("i!( jgical l)iiui|iR'l. 'I'hcsc dilk-rcnro, mi ni'c i\-L'r, are ])nil)abl\' 

 CDiistant as bclwet-n gi\eii hinls. At least we fiiuinl 1)\' experinieiit in 1907 

 that if a liaiKlsnmely marked egg were remoN'ed, another of the same tvpe 

 might be exiiected in its place from one to three weeks later. 



'J'he peculiar shape of the egg. big at one end and little at the other, in- 

 sures that the egg when <listurbed shall roll in a small circle, in fact, in the 

 fittest specimens the little end marks the center of a circle whose radius is the 

 longer axis of the (.gg. This pro\ides for maintenance on narrow ledges 



A SLEEl'Y MUKKE;. 



SHOWING WINTER PLUMAGE. 



under ordin.'u'N' circnmstances : but a sudden llight of the Mnrrcs is bound to 

 |)recipitate some id" the eggs. 



Not onl\- are Itare rocks and ledges utilized, but eggs are deposited under 

 projecting stones, in crannies, caves, or e\en old Puffin burrows. When the 

 birds nest in sheltered situations one ]iays a fe.arful price for close acquaint- 

 ance. A Murre rookerv is not so bad where the pnrifxing rains ha\'e access 

 to it, but tile stench of a protected cave is o\erpowering. l\g,gs are sometimes 

 .so encrusted witli filth as to be immovable, and lledglings are born into 

 conditions which would shame har]iies. 



