BLACK GUILLEMOT; SEA PIGEON 



27. Cepphus grylle. 13 inches. 



These birds are very abundant about the rocky islands 

 from Maine northward. They may be seen sitting in 

 rows on the edges of the rocks, or pattering along the 

 water as they rise in flight, from its surface, at a boat's 

 approach. In summer the plumage is entirely black, 

 except the large white patches on the wings; legs red; 

 eyes brown. This species has the bases of the greater 

 coverts black, while they are white in Mandt Guillemot 

 (C. mandtii No. 28), which is found from Labrador 

 northward. In winter, these birds are mottled gray and 

 white above, and white below, but the patches still show. 



Notes. A shrill, piercing, squealing whistle. 



Nest. Guillemots lay two eggs upon the bare rock or 

 gravel in crevices or under piles of boulders where they 

 are difficult to get at. They are grayish or greenish- 

 white, beautifully and heavily blotched with black and 

 brownish (2.40x 1.60). 



Range. Breeds on coasts of North Atlantic from 

 Maine northward; winters south to Long Island. 



