30 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



Three males. — Wing, 127; tail feathers, 33.3; exposed 

 culmen, 19.2; tarsus, 23.3; middle toe and claw, 36.2. 



P'ive females. — Wing, 127.8; tail feathers, 32.5; exposed 

 culmen, 19.8; tarsus, 23.9; middle toe and claw, 35.1. 



3. Cepphus columba. 



Pigeon Guillemot. — This species is one of the last to 

 arrive at the island, and is to be found in pairs after 

 May 1st. 



When at rest they squat, duck-like, upon the rocks, hold- 

 ing the bill in horizontal position; occasionally a few will 

 rise to a standing position, with their bills considerably 

 elevated. 



Previous to laying they gather in small groups, usually 

 near the water's edge, and when disturbed rise to the stand- 

 ing position, and in this attitude, with open bills, they 

 salute each other or returning fellows, by making a pcniliar, 

 whistling cry, that can be heard at all times of the day. 

 After pairing they fight a great deal among themselves, 

 chasing each other on the wing and engaging in combat on 

 land and water. Mrs. C. M. Crowell, of Hay wards, Cal., 

 witnessed a fight in the water, which continued for ten 

 minutes; they first held fast to each other's bills, then sepa- 

 rating, one dived and the other swam about watching closely 

 for the appearance of the first, which, on coming to the sur- 

 face, was at once attacked and tormented until it finally dived 

 and came up beyond reach of its adversary. If caught, 

 they show a disposition to fight, but first will endeavor to 

 escape by crawling away. 



They lay wherever concealment can be found, in dark 

 caves and fissures, under boulders, and the tramway wall; 

 most of the nests were found on flats near the water's edge. 

 Two eggs, the largest number found in one nest, are laid 

 without any attempt being made at nest-bnilding. Some 

 observers have credited them with carrying small pebbles 

 to their nests, but as these are not always found where the 



