BIRDS OF THE OPEN SEA 7 
Nest: In crevices of rocks, under edge of boulders, or in shallow burrow ; 
unlined. 
Eggs: 1; greenish white. Size 1.81 X 1.33. 
Like the rhinoceros auklet, Cassin’s Auklet is noc- 
turnal in habit, hiding in its burrow by day and coming 
out in the twilight to feed and fly. Both species are 
expert swimmers and divers, obtaining in this manner 
the crustacea which form their chief diet. On stormy 
nights they may be heard calling to each other above the 
thunder of the surf and the fury of the gale. On clear 
or moonlight nights they flit like huge beetles over the 
shore, with continual high-keyed notes. With the screams 
of the gulls by day and the calls of the auklets by night, 
the rocky islands of the Pacific coast are never silent. 
The Cassin Auklets are resident in small numbers off 
the coast of Southern California and on the islands of 
Santa Catalina, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz, breeding 
locally northward along their range. On the Farallones 
they breed in great numbers, and are also found nesting 
abundantly on the Netarte Islands and along the rocky 
coast of British Columbia. ach pair will usually raise 
three broods, of a single bird each, every season. The 
young remain in the nest until fully feathered, when they 
are able to fly, swim, and dive with the ease of adult birds. 
21. ANCIENT MURRELET. — Synthliboramphus antiquus. 
Famity: The Auks, Murres, and Puffins. 
Length: 10.00. 
Breeding Plumage: Head and throat black; sides of neck, line on each 
side of crown to nape, white; upper back gray, streaked laterally 
with white ; back, wings, and tail brownish gray, blackish on prima- 
ries ; sides sooty brown; breast and belly white, 
