y24 THE PIGEON GUILLEMOT 
The birds are evidently proud of their “full dress” suits, and an envious 
company of “grays” will gather about some vigorous young buck, who has 
come out in a new rig early in the season, and they will gape mingled admira- 
tion and chagrin, while the lucky fellow “stands on his tail” repeatedly with 
slowly fluttering wings. 
Notwithstanding an early exchange of vows, and many feints at nest- 
delving, the Pigeons do not actually nest till June; and at this season the 
birds may be divided roughly into two groups: those which occupy the beach 
bluffs of the upper Sound, Puget Sound proper, and those which frequent 
the coasts and rocky islets of the lower, or Washington Sound region. This 
division is confessedly arbitrary, and is due to the differing character of the 
country chosen rather than to any observed difference in the birds themselves. 
Be that as it may, wherever the extensive and intricate shore-line of Puget 
Sound presents an abrupt face of glacial drift, gravel, clay, or sand, there 
about a gun shot offshore, may be seen a pair of watchful black “Pigeons,” 
swimming leisurely to and fro in pretended indifference, or drawing together 
for low consultation. And there, in the face of the bluff, at a height of from 
ten to fifty feet, may be seen the entrance of a tunnel six or eight inches in 
diameter, at the end of which, two or three feet in, repose two eggs—cream- 
colored or pale olive-buffy in tint, with bold spots and splashes of umber and 
chocolate. This is the stereotyped situation, to which a thousand instances 
exactly conform. 
But among the rocky islets of San Juan County favoring conditions have 
induced a great variety in the nesting habits of the Pigeon Guillemot. No 
matter how small the rock, if it lifts a rough head clear of the higher tides, 
its crannies and interstices are sure to be occupied by a few pairs of these 
harmless sea-folk. A typical bird-rock will be dominated by a company of 
Glaucous-winged Gulls, clamorous, indeed, but dignified and handsome withal; 
and their nests will be placed in open situations on the ledges and about the 
rocky summits. If the place presents a sheer sea-wall, Baird Cormorants will 
occupy its tenuous knobs and overhung shelves. A few Tufted Puffins will 
circle about like unquiet spirits, silent, but mindful ever of the single egg 
stowed away in cave or burrow. But the real bulk of the bird population 
is made up by the ubiquitous Guillemot. As one clambers over the rough 
sides of the rookery, these birds tumble out just ahead like sleepy children, 
and plunge with all speed into the nearest water, by way of getting their wits 
collected. After a refreshing dive, they join in turn the growing company of 
their fellows, who bob and hiss from beyond the kelp line. 
If partially reassured the bird re: alights upon an exposed surface of the 
rock, and opens a carmine mouth of inquiry. Others join him, and soon your 
motives are being discussed by a whining company of these wondering wights 
Their only note is a cross between a hiss and a whine, and it has no great 
