The Crested Auklet 259 



crustaceans, less than a quarter of an inch in length, are amazingly 

 abundant in Alaskan waters and, as a never-failing food-supply, account 

 for the surprising abundance of auklets of all kinds. 



The native Aleuts eat auklets, just as they do most other kinds of 

 sea-birds, and capture them with nets that are like a large dip-net with a 

 long handle. The native hunter conceals himself at some point near the 

 beach or bluffs over which the birds are accustomed to 

 fly close. When a flock approaches, the net is swung 

 upward, and a skilful native has little difficulty in 

 catching two or three birds out of each flock that passes. The Aleut 

 people are true children of Nature, and the greater part of their food 

 consists of the fishes, seals, and sea-birds found along their shores. The 

 misty and often stormy coasts would be desolate indeed without the lively 

 presence of auklets; and we cannot help wishing that they abounded in 

 more southern latitudes, where their charming ways could be better 

 known. Some of nature's finest exhibitions of bird-life, however, are 

 arranged without reference to civilized spectators. 



The Crested Auklets arrive at the Pribilofs in May, and remain until 

 the winter ice begins to invest the islands, when they go farther south. 

 They are noisy in the breeding season when about their nests, but are 

 rather silent at other times. 



\Yhile they take alarm and leave the cliffs when closely approached, 

 they have more confidence when on the water, and do not readily dive 

 or take flight except to make way for the boat. About islands where 

 they are not especially abundant they may yet be as thick as bees at 

 some particular cliff, long rows of them lined up on the ledges, while 

 others are coming and going. Sometimes we saw them far off shore in 

 flocks hundreds of yards in extent. They are a plump, well-fed race, 

 and appear to have plenty of time for play, both in the air and on the 

 water. 



The Crested Auklet is distinguished by its much larger size from its 

 nearest relatives, the Whiskered and Least Auklets, 

 and by the differently shaped bill and the presence of 

 a recurved crest from the Paroquet Auklet. More- 

 over, the underparts .are entirely dark in the Crested Auklet, but largely 

 white in the three allied species. 



Males and females are alike in plumage, which is sooty black above, 

 and brownish beneath ; but this obscure coloring is relieved by the lively 

 crest, the bright red of the beak, and the white, plume-like feathers which 

 extend downward and backward from the eye. The white iris also 

 contributes to the alert appearance of the bird's head. The feet are 

 bluish, with dark webs. That part of the red beak around the corner 

 of the mouth is soft and flexible. 



The forward-curved crest of this auklet, resembling that of the Cali- 

 fornia Quail, suggests the name "Sea-quail," by which it is known to 

 English-speaking persons. The native name "Kanooska" is of Russian 

 origin, and means Little Captain. 



