PETRELS 69 



While of common and general local distribution along the 

 entire outer coast from spring to fall, it is somewhat doubtful 

 if this species now breeds westward of the outer islands of Lin- 

 coln County. A few stray specimens are reported in winter, 

 but at this season a majority are wandering in distant oceans. 

 Big colonies still nest on Duck Islands, Seal Island and Spoon 

 Islands, usually laying about June 15, though fresh eggs may 

 be found until the middle of July. Only one egg is laid during 

 the season, unless possibly when the bird has been previously 

 robbed a second egg may sometimes be deposited. The birds 

 both assist in excavating the burrow in the soft earth, and this 

 is from one to three feet long, extending downward, then usually 

 slightly upward, then along a few inches beneath the surface 

 until it enlarges into a roundish chamber where the egg is 

 laid in a slight nest of grass, rootlets or other vegetable 

 material of similar nature. One of the parent birds is almost 

 invariably present on the nest after the egg is laid, and generally 

 only one, but before the egg has been laid both parent birds 

 are very often present. Judging by carefully sought evidence 

 the male bird seems to predominate in numbers among the 

 incubating birds present on the nests during the day time, but 

 some females are also present. 



When taken from the burrows in the daytime the birds 

 appear dazed and stagger about in a half drunken fashion, 

 thrusting their heads into the nearest holes, ostrich fashion, or 

 flapping along and blundering into every possible obstacle. 

 Perhaps finally they may be able to arise into the air and head 

 seaward as they will almost invariably do when tossed upward. 

 The chief cry they utter when one is walking over spots honey- 

 combed with burrows which are occupied by sleeping Petrels 

 sounds very much like "Got any terbacker" or "Jonny get 

 your hair cut". During the day time the breeding places 

 seem deserted by the birds except for the evidence given forth 

 from the burrows. At the approach of night the mates of the 

 incubating birds return from out at sea and relieve their 



