6 WATER BIRDS 
short as to be practically invisible. Floating on the 
water it seems to have fallen over on its face and to be 
unable to right itself, so that it looks much more like 
a bit of wood than a bird. You glance at it carelessly, 
never dreaming that it may be alive, when suddenly it 
dives, leaving no trace. In a moment it reappears at 
some distance away, only to dive again the instant you 
turn in its direction. It is perfectly at home on or in 
the water, although so helpless on land, and can swim 
a long distance submerged. 
Largely nocturnal in habits, migrating and feeding at 
night ; it hides from the sun in burrows or behind rocks 
during the day, and if brought into the strong light it 
blinks like an owl. At night it flies swiftly in flocks, 
with peculiar, plaintive cries, after the manner of the 
swift. In winter it is found on most of the islands 
along the coast from Tia Juana and San Diego north. 
Migrates in flocks about May 1. Is recorded from Santa 
Catalina. 
16. CASSIN AUKLET. — Ptychoramphus aleuticus. 
Famity: The Auks, Murres, and Puffins. 
Length: 8.75. 
Adults: Above, dark slate-color, merging into ashy on sides of head and 
neck ; upper breast and sides slate ; lower breast and belly white ; a 
white spot on lower eyelids. 
Downy Young: Soft brownish gray. 
Geographical Distribution: Pacific coast of North America from Alaska 
to Lower California. 
Breeding Range: From San Benito Islands northward. 
Breeding Season: Approximately, April 1 to September 1. 
