NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 



19 



30a, California Murre. Uria troile californica. 



Range. Pacific Coast, breeding from the Farallones north to Alaska. 



This Pacific form of the common .Murre is the most abundant breeding bird on 

 the Kara Hones. Their eggs are used in enormous numbers for commercial 

 purposes and these islands Being located, as they are, within easy distance from 

 San Francisco, thousands of do/ens of the eggs are sold yearly, chiefly to 

 bakeries. Although continually robbed, their numbers have not as yet dimish- 

 ed to any great extent. They lay but a single egg on the bare ledge. Individual 

 eggs are indistinguishable from the last species but in a large series the ground 

 color averages brighter. They show the same great difference in color and mark- 

 ings. The first set is laid in May, but owing to their being so often molested, 

 fresh eggs can be found during August. Data. Farallones, July 4, 1895. Single 

 egg laid on bare cliff. Collector, Thos. E. Slevin. 



31. Brunnich Murre. Uria lomri/i. 



Range. North Atlantic Coast, breeding range the same as the common 

 Murre. 



[Varies from white to greenish blue.] 



This species differs from th- common Murre in having a shorter and thicker 

 bill, the base of the cutting edge of which is less feathered. They breed on the 

 same islands in company with the common Murres and their eggs are indis- 

 tinguishable. Data. Coast of South Labrador. Single egg laid on ledge of 

 cliff. About three hundred birds in the colony. 



3 I a. Pallas Murre. I'r'ni toniria <irr<t. 



Range. The North Pacific coasts and islands. 



This is the Pacific form of Brunnich Murre. Its breeding range is more 

 northerly than that of the California variety. Countless thousands of them 

 breed oh the islands off the coast of Alaska, their breeding habits and eggs 

 being the same as the more southern form. 



