BIRDS OF THE OPEN SEA 23 
as Kaeding petrels. There is little to distinguish the 
two except size, the latter being slightly smaller and 
darker than the Eastern species. In breeding habits the 
two are probably identical. Male and female take part 
in sitting upon the single egg—sometimes one of the 
pair, sometimes both together. The newly hatched 
young are fed by regurgitation of a brownish oily fluid. 
Like the forked-tailed petrel, this species ejects the oil 
from its throat and stomach if molested. The odor 
clings to nest, eggs and young. 
107. BLACK PETREL. — Oceanodroma melania. 
Famity : The Fulmars and Shearwaters. 
Length: 8.00-9.00. 
Adult: Dusky blackish, lighter on under parts; greater wing-coverts 
and outer webs of tertials light ash-color. 
Geographical Distribution: South Pacific, northward to Los Angeles 
County, California. 
Breeding Range: Islands off the coast of Southern California and south- 
ward to the equator. 
Breeding Season: July. 
Nest: Bare ground, or burrow one to three feet in depth. 
Eggs: 1; pure white ; elliptical oval. Size 1.44 & 1.08. 
THe Black Petrel, while less common than the ashy, 
is yet a resident on the ocean adjacent to Southern 
California. Mr. Grinnell reports it as far north as Santa 
Barbara, and as breeding on Los Coronados Islands, off 
San Diego. Like all its family, it comes to land only to 
nest, and any acquaintance with it must be made from a 
boat, or during the breeding season at the islands. It 
