NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 257 



effect mentioned by Audubon in his interesting account. The white breasts of 

 the birds appeared in marked contrast to the dull grey of the rocks, with which 

 the color of the head and neck so well harmonized as to cause the birds to 

 appear deprived of those very indispensable portions. To my great disap- 

 pointment, I was not permitted to land and examine the islands and their 

 inhabitants; our captain, as on other occasions, paying no regard to the wishes 

 of the passengers. Again, on our return, though we passed between the 

 islands, not for an hour, even, would he delay, to enable me to notice the birds 

 or to obtain specimens. I am therefore unable to give any account of the man- 

 ners of these most interesting birds. A barrel of eggs was procured, and 

 placed at my disposal. 



The egg of the Foolish Guillemot is notorious among thai of all other birds, 

 for the variations it presents in size, shape, color and markings, but more es- 

 pecially the latter. From a large number of specimens, I found the average 

 size to be a very little over three inches and one-fourth in length, by two ia 

 greatest diameter, while the greatest difference in length was five-eighths of an 

 inch. The diameter was much more constant, ditfering but one-fourth, thus 

 causing the variations in shape to be exceedingly great. The ground color of 

 the egg varies from a bright crcMm color to pure white, and then passing 

 through earthy, greyish, bluish and greenish-white to light green, is found of 

 every shade of the green to the very darkest. The more usual color is some 

 shade of green. The markings of the cream colored and white specimens are 

 usually spots and blotches of different shades of brown, pretty uniformly disposed 

 over the whole surface. Eggs of this type bear the closest resemblance to 

 those of Utamania torda, but may usually be easily distinguished by their larger 

 size and more pyriform shape. The prevailing pattern of coloration among the 

 light earthy and bluish- white eggs is a ring of spots around the larger end ; 

 these very closely resemble those of Uria grylle, as far as color is concerned. 

 The green eggs present an infinite variety of patterns, which it would be use- 

 less to attempt to define ; they are oftener streaked than blotched, the lines 

 being angular and sharply defined, crossed and recrossed in the most fantastic 

 manner. Occasionally a pure white egg is met with, and I have seen some 

 that had much the peculiar pattern and appearance of tbose of Meleagris galli- 

 pavo. 



The " egging," or traffic in the eggs of the Murre as at present carried on, is 

 on systematic principles, and furnishes constant employment during the sum- 

 mer to men who make it their profession. The method pursued to procure the 

 eggs fresh is singularly unique, but entirely successful. They land on one of 

 the islands and break every egg that they can find upon it; the next day, re- 

 pairing to the spot, all those eggs found cannot but be fresh. By collecting 

 these, of course the birds are prevented from sitting, and thus any quantity of 

 eggs may be procured. Notwithstanding the wholesale system of destruction 

 thus carried on against the birds, they are still to be found in prodigious mul- 

 titudes ; yet it is remarked by all those who have visited the coast for a num- 

 ber of years, that their numbers are slowly but surely decreasing under this 

 incessant persecution, which not even their myriads enable them to withstand. 

 I was informed that there is a law which forbids the collecting of the eggs, 

 but if so, it has very little practical effect. 



The present species, as well as the U. ringvia and U. arra, is known to the 

 natives and fishermen as either the " Murre" or "Turre," the latter being per- 

 haps the more usual appellation. This name is also applied to the Mergulus 

 alle, which is known as the "Little Turre," or sometimes as the "Little 

 Neddie." On the coast of Maine it is also called " Ice-bird." 



A letter was read from Dr. Jas. C. Fisher, resigning his office as 

 Librarian of the Academy, on account of absence from the city in 

 military service for the suppression of rebellion. 



On motioQ the resignation was accepted. 



1861.] 18 



