io PYGOPODES: Diving Birds 



XANTUS MURRELET 



(25. Brachyramphus hypoleucus) 10 in. 



Wholly slaty-black above; wholly white below, including 

 most of cheek. (Two preceding species do not have white 

 cheeks.) Bird more slender, with thin bill. 



The downy young, black above and white below, are called 

 the most attractive of all divers. 



This species is remarkable, also, for the wide variation in 

 color and pattern of its eggs, which may be anything from sky- 

 blue to solid chestnut, or specked, blotched, and mottled in end- 

 less variety. 



PIGEON GUILLEMOT 



(29. Cepphus columba) 13 in. 



Summer: Wholly sooty-black, except large white spot in wing; 

 bright red legs and feet. 



Winter: Wings as in summer; back dark with white tips; 

 otherwise plumage white. 



Both summer and winter plumages of this bird are char- 

 acteristic and identify the species instantly. 



Alarm-note, when the nesting locality is invaded, is a clear, 

 plaintive whistle. 



CALIFORNIA MURRE 



(30a. Uria troille calif ornica) 17 in. 



Summer: Sooty brown, except white breast, belly, and wing- 

 bar. 



Winter: Whole lower parts white; throat and cheeks washed 

 with sooty. 



Its size, and the long, pointed bill, are distinctive. 



In the early days of San Francisco, vast quantities of Murre 

 eggs, gathered on the Farallon Islands, were sold in the markets 

 for food. These eggs, pointed at one end and rounded at the 

 other, show endless variety in color and markings. 



