12 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 



rocks, or in burrows excavated 

 in the ground by the birds. 

 These burrows vary in length 

 from two and a half to four or 

 five feet. Except upon the 

 positive knowledge of the ab- 

 sence of the bird, it is a 

 hazardous thing to put the 

 hand in one of these burrows 

 for the bird can, and will nip 

 the fingers, sometimes to the 

 bone. They lay but a single 

 egg, usually dull white and 

 unmarked, but in some cases 

 obscurely marked with red- 

 dish brown. Size 2.50 x 1.75. 

 [White,] Data. So. Labrador, June 23, 



1884. Single egg laid at end of burrow in the ground. Collector, J. H. JAMESON. 



I 3 a. Large-billed Puffin. Fratercula arctica glacialis. 



A more northerly subspecies of the last, inhabiting the Arctic region on the 

 Atlantic side. The bird is somewhat larger but otherwise indistinguishable 

 from the common species. The eggs are exactly the same or average a trifle 

 larger. Size 2.55 x 1.80. Data. Iceland, July 6, 1900. Single egg in hole under 

 a rock. Collector, Chas. Jefferys. 



14. Horned Puffin. Fratercula corniculata. 



Range. Pacific Coast from Alaska to British Columbia. The Horned Puffin 

 differs from the common in that the blackish band across the throat extends 

 upwards in a point to the bill. Their nesting habits are precisely the same as 

 those of the preceding species. A single pure white egg is laid: the shell is 

 slightly rougher than those of the others. Size 2.65 x 1.80. Data. Round Is., 

 Alaska", June 24, 1884. Single egg laid at end of burrow in ground; no nest. 

 Collector, G. L. Kennedy. 



1 5. Rhinoceros Auklet. Cerorhinca monocerata. 



Range. Pacific Coast, breeding from British Columbia northward and win- 

 tering southward to Lower California. 



The Rhinoceros Auklet or Horned Auk has a much smaller bill than the 

 Putrlns ; in the summer this is adorned at the base by a horn from which it 

 takes its name. There are also slender plumes from above and below the eyes. 

 Unlike the Puffins, these birds sit upon their whole tarsus. 



They nest on islands of the North Pacific Coast from Vancouver northward. 

 A single egg is laid in crevices among the rocks or in burrows in the ground. 

 It is similar both in size and shape to that of the Puffins, but is often quite 

 heavily blotched with brown. Size 2.70 x 1.80. Data. Unak Is., Alaska, June 

 30, 1900. Egg laid in a fissure of the rocks; no nest. Collector, F. Weston. 



