abundant. On the American side, it breeds as far south as the Santa 
Barbara Islands, California, and as far north as Cape Lisburne, in 
northwestern Alaska. It is, however, of comparatively rare occur¬ 
rence in Arctic waters. On the Asiatic side, its breeding-range ex¬ 
tends as far south as Japan ; while its center of abundance is generally 
conceded to be the Aleutian Islands. Deposition of eggs occurs as 
early as May 1 in southern California, and as late as August 1 in 
northern latitudes; but fresh eggs may also be found somewhere 
from June 1 to June 20 at any given point in its breeding-range. 
Thus, on certain islets off the coast of Washington, I have found the 
puffins punctual to a day, and deposition occurring with practical uni¬ 
formity; whereas, on the Farallones, in 1911, there was a steady 
increase in numbers from the 1st to the 28th of May, with a few 
still to be heard from on June 3. The winter range of this species 
comprises the open ocean, and the birds are occasionally driven shore¬ 
ward along the Aleutian chain and the adjacent coasts. 
From time immemorable, the natives of the North Pacific islands 
have placed large dependence upon the puffins, both tufted and 
horned, to supply both food and clothing. Advantage is taken of 
the bird’s inability to alter quickly its course of flight—your puffin 
is no dodger—and large numbers are caught annually by means of 
small nets mounted on poles—a sort of glorified butterfly-hunt. The 
puffin-meat is not distasteful, as sea-birds go, although white men do 
not care for it. More important to the native Aleutian is the uni¬ 
formly tough skin which goes into the making of parkas, the famed 
feather-coats of the North. These garments, each requiring the use 
of from forty-five to fifty puffin skins, are made up feather-side in, and 
are nearly impervious to cold. 
With the natives we shall, of course, have to be very patient until 
such times as they may be able to get other food, such as we our¬ 
selves eat, instead of the flesh of “torporki” (The name for the puffin 
in the Commander Islands) and garments made of good wool, instead 
of the flimsy bird-skins. With the foreign born fishermen we shall 
have to be very firm, reminding them that Uncle Sam is very unwill¬ 
ing to see his guests assault the ancient rights of his feathered wards. 
For ourselves, we need no excuse for our interest in these quaint 
old-men-of-the-sea, the tufted puffins. Remote, unobtrusive though 
they be, they belong to us to study, to protect, and to enjoy. A visit 
paid to one of their breeding haunts is like a trip to fairyland, a real 
and tangible bit of romance. Such a privilege, properly exercised, is 
the inherent right of every American citizen, and should be safe¬ 
guarded to our children for all time. 
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