BIRD NOTES AFIELD 



What were the thoughts of that mother setting there night and 

 day above the booming surf with the salt spray blown upon 

 her, the precipice of rocks above, and no respite from the 

 ocesui's unceasing roar? Did she love those chalky, white- 

 green eggs beneath her, and was there a tenderness in her 

 cormorant heart that compensated for the want of society cind 

 change in that wild solitude? 



The pigeon guillemot is very abundant upon the islcinds, 

 although it does not congregate in such vast numbers as its 

 cousin, the California murre. It is a smaller species and rather 

 more slender in build. When sitting upon the rocks, facing 

 the observer, it appears as a very dark brown bird with con- 

 spicuous scarlet feet. Its other most striking mark is a broad 

 patch of white on the wings, which is noticeable both when 

 the bird is at rest and on the wing. When standing, the bird 

 habitually rests the entire foot (what is popularly miscalled 

 the leg) upon the ground, holding the body erect in a vertical 

 position. At other times it may be seen squatting, with the 

 body upon the rocks. I noticed many with fishes in their bills, 

 but whether for their own use or for the young I was unable 

 to determine. When any one approaches, they sit with their 

 long, slender bills wide open cind utter a high, pensive, long 

 drawn-out squeak — peeeeeeie. The young are reared in 

 crannies of the rock. 



One of the most interesting birds which nests upon the 

 Farallones is the tufted puffin, or sea parrot, as it is called. 

 As one flies by we wonder how the little body can sustain that 

 heavy head. Its enormous bill of brilliant vermilion, com- 

 pressed sideways, presents a profile of grotesque dimensions. 

 The general hue of the bird is blackish, with large, conspicu- 



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