THE LEAST AUKLET. 917 
deciduous at the end of the breeding season. While our esthetic sense may not 
exactly approve of the mandibular extravagances which birds of this group 
indulge at the approach of spring, we should remember the grotesque ear-rings 
and lip-ornaments which have pleased the fancy of our own species at times, 
and we will not be in haste to criticize the bizarre tastes of these little savages 
of the sea. Nature may be amusing if she likes. Why not? 
Birds of this and allied species exist in Bering Sea by countless millions, 
and they form a not unimportant element of Eskimo fare. Hungry whalers 
also sample them on occasion, but their flesh is not seductive to the Caucasian 
palate. The Paroquets nest in the abundant crevices of the rough volcanic 
islands, placing their single white egg upon the bare rock or soil. The males 
spend most of the day at sea fishing, but return late in the afternoon to feed 
their mates. After this and until four or five o’clock in the morning they may 
be seen dozing at the entrance of their nests. “They have a low, sonorous, 
vibrating whistle and do not fly in flocks like most other Auks.” 
No. 368. 
LEAST AUKLET. 
A. O. U. No. 20. €thia pusilla (Pall.). 
Synonym.—Knop-NosepD AUKLET. 
Description.—4dults in simmer: “Bill small and simple, but stout for its 
length, scarcely higher than wide at base, rather obtuse at tip. A small deciduous 
knob or tubercle at base of culmen. No crest; but front, top, and sides of head 
more or less thickly lined with delicate white thready feathers; a similar series, 
exceedingly fine, from eye along side of hind head and nape. Excepting these 
filaments and more or less white on scapulars and tips of some secondaries, entire 
upper parts glossy black; region about under mandible, and a few feathers along 
sides of body and flanks, blackish; throat white; under parts white, more or less 
extensively mottled or clouded with blackish, often uninterrupted on fore breast. 
Lining of wings white, with dark feathers along the edge. Iris white. Bill red; 
knob and base of upper mandible dark. Legs (dry) dark; front of tarsus and tops 
of toes lighter. J winter: No knob; bill brownish; little white bristles of head 
retained but less developed; white of under parts extensive, reaching far around 
sides of neck. Young: Like winter adults, but with smaller bill and lacking white 
bristles of head and with more white on scapulars” (Coues). Length of adult: 
6.50 (165.1); wing 3.75 (95.3); tail 1.25 (31.8); bill (chord of culmen) .40 
(10.2) ; height of bill at base .30 (7.6); tarsus .70 (17.8). 
Recognition Marks.—Sparrow size; the smallest of the Alcide. 
Nesting.—Does not breed in Washington. Single egg deposited in crevice of 
rock in sea-wall or volcanic cliff. Av. size, 1.55 x 1.12 (39.4 x 28.5). 
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