ALCIDjE — THE AUKS — CEPPHUS. 495 



the middle and posterior lesser coverts, the other, the end of the greater coverts ; the latter patch 

 completely separated from the other for the lower half, being very narrow near the outer edge of 

 the wing, but gradually widening above (where overlain by the ends of the middle coverts), s., 

 as to blend the two white patches ; under wing-coverts pale smoky grayish. Bill black ; mouth, 

 legs, and feet bright red in life ; claws black ; iris dark brown. Winter plumage : Similar to the 

 same stage of C. grylle, but the white wing-patch divided, as above. Young : Distinguishable from 

 the corresponding stage of C. yrylle by the absence- of white on the under surface of the wing; 

 otherwise very similar. Downy young: Scarcely distinguishable from that of C. grylle. 



Total length, about 13.00 inches ; extent, 23.00; wing, 6.90-7.30 (average about 7.00); cul- 

 men, 1.20-1.40; gonys, .55-.60 ; depth of bill through middle of nostril, .40-.42 ; tarsus, 1.35- 

 1.50; middle toe, without claw, 1.45-1.55. (Six summer adults.) 



This species, closely resembling the Cepphiis grylle, though differing slightly in 

 size and in certain specific markings, replaces that species on the Pacific coast of 

 North America, and on the eastern coast of Asia also. It is quite common in the 

 neighborhood of Sitka, where Bischoff obtained twenty specimens. It was found 

 abundant at Kadiak, where its eggs were also procured. Mr. Dall did not meet with 

 it about Unalashka, but it was very common at the Shumagins. He speaks of it as 

 being a very expert diver, very quick in its motions, and very hard to kill. Its eggs 

 were obtained June 24, 1871.', at Popoff Island, one of the Shumagins ; they were 1 wo 

 in number. The nest was in a. burrow or hole under rocks near tin- water's edge. 



Several birds of this species were caught alive on their nests at Coal Harbor, 

 Unga. The young in down were also obtained there July 16, 1N72. All the eggs 

 were more or less developed. It is presumed to be a summer visitor, yet, like the 

 C. grylle, it may be to some extent a resident wherever found. In the Aleutian 

 Islands, west of Unalashka. Mr. Dall noticed it as Vicing abundant everywhere from 

 Attu to the Shumagins ; but it was not seen in winter. It is named by Mr. K. Browne 

 as one of the birds of Vancouver Island. 



Dr. Cooper speaks of this species as being a. handsome bird, and as one abundant 

 north id' California ; but lie did not meet with it in summer south of Santa Barbara 

 and San Nicolas Island, where he saw it, but not in large numbers. It is more com- 

 mon about the Farallones, and breeds there, laying its eggs in slight burrows which 

 are hollowed out among the rocks. The eggs arc white, blotched with dark and 

 light brown, chiefly in a ring about the larger end. and measure in length 2.50 inches. 

 in breadth 1.66. 



About the shores of Puget Sound however — as Dr. Cooper states — this species 

 burrows two or three feet deep in the softer banks, making an entrance where the 

 cliff is steep and overhangs the water, and at a distance of a few feet below the top, 

 the burrow winding so as to be difficult to follow. From this habit the bird has the 

 local name of the Bank Duck. On the water it swims and dives with so much skill 

 as to make its capture difficult. If swiftly pursued, it sometimes utters a shrill but 

 not loud whistling cry, not unlike that of the Western Oyster-catcher. Its flight is 

 strong and rapid, not unlike that of a Pigeon ; but this is the only point in which it 

 resembles the bird from which it derives its name. It can walk quite easily on the 

 land, and resorts there to rest. When thus perched on the rock, Dr. Cooper has heard 

 it utter a low, rather musical song, which he at first mistook for that of some spar- 

 row. It is, therefore, like Ptycoramphus aleuticus, a kind of aquatic song-bird. At 

 Santa Cruz Dr. Cooper found pairs of this species in June on various points of the 

 beach where there are high bluffs of sandstone soft enough for them to burrow in ; 

 and he has no doubt that a few breed as far south as this, if not as far as the southern 

 islands, of which San Nicolas is the only one suited for this purpose. 



Mr. Henshaw is also of the opinion that the Santa Barbara Islands are the 



