BERING SEA BIRDS 



their neighbors. So intent are they in the conflict that not infrequently they roll off' 

 the cliff, and, still fighting as they fall, are dashed to death on the rocks beneath their 

 nesting ledges. 



"Murres build no nests whatever, laying their eggs on the Ijare rock. Large gulls 

 often steal and eat the murres" eggs when they find them unprotected. The eggs are 

 pear-shaped so that when disturbed they roll in a small circle. This curious adaptation 

 doubdess prevents many eggs from rolling off the cliffs during the frequent Ijattles or 

 because of the somewhat awkward movements of the adults." 



All of the twehe species that breed on Walrus Island are sea birds. Murres con- 

 siderably outnumber all others, but the summer population also includes other inter- 

 esting species with similar breeding requirements. In the center of the island there is 

 an area of scantv grass occupied by the nests of glaucous gulls, a powerful, predatory 

 species that preys on the eggs and young of other birds when left unguarded. In the 

 exhibit may also be seen red-faced cormorants, glaucous-winged gulls. Pacific kitti- 

 wakes, and clown-like horned puffins. Other residents of this amazing bird metropolis, 

 not shown in the exhibit, are the tufted puffin, the crested paroquet, the least auklet 

 and the red-legged kittiwake. 



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