BREWSTER: BIRDS OF THE CAPE REGION, LOWER CALIFORNIA. 31 
“ The soil is chiefly of fine pumice, in some places soft and easily excavated, but 
in others so hard as to require the use of a pick in opening the burrows. In most 
of the excavations was a rude attempt at nest building, consisting of a few sprigs 
of green grass and other vegetation which grew about the colony, and on this 
meagre platform were both birds, but no eggs. Nor did the condition of the birds 
indicate that the actual nesting season was at hand. About sunset the birds from 
the island began to seek the water, meeting a similar tide moving in from the sea. 
They mostly centred about the south end of the island, which soon presented the 
appearance of a vast beehive. Thousands upon thousands of Shearwaters were 
circling about with easy flight much more airy and graceful than that of any 
Shearwater with which I am familiar; especially was the difference accentuated 
when an occasional auricularis with typical Shearwater flight, skimmed through the 
throng. The greater part of those birds which came from the higher parts of the 
island descended at an angle of about 45°, with wings set until near the water, when 
they sailed off over the waves until lost to view, while others descending in a spiral 
course joined their fellows in circling about the water at the foot of the cliffs. There 
was little, if any, outcry, though the sobbing notes were often heard from the birds 
on shore. . . 
“ Thinking I would find eggs, I returned to San Benedicto from Socorro Island 
two weeks later, but was disappointed. Many of the burrows were empty, and all 
had been extended two feet or more in length, and the nest of green plants moved 
back to the end. As before, when birds were found there were usually two.” 
Halocyptena microsoma Coves. 
Least PETREL. 
Halocyptena microsoma Cougs, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1864, 79 (orig. descr. ; 
type from San José del Cabo). LEttrort, Illustr. New and Unfig. N. Amer. 
Birds, II. 1869, pl. 61 (descr. and figures type specimen from San José del 
Cabo). Ripeway, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., V. 1883, 534, footnote (San José 
del Cabo) ; VI. 1885, 158, footnote (crit. ; s. Lower Calif.). Barrp, BREWER, 
and Ripeway, Water Birds N. Amer., II. 1884, 402 (figures head, leg, and 
tail; near San José del Cabo). Bryant, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., 2d ser., II. 
1889, 252 (San José del Cabo). 
The type of this peculiar little species, an adult female taken by Mr. Xantus 
in May, 1861, near San José del Cabo, remained unique until March, 1888, 
when a second example flew on board the United States Fish Commission 
Steamer ‘‘ Albatross” in Panama Bay, and was secured by Mr. Townsend.! 
Although the Xantus specimen appears to be the only one which has been 
thus far taken in the immediate neighborhood of Cape St. Lucas, the 
bird must occur there more or less regularly and commonly at times, for 
Mr. Anthony states that? 
“In early June I have found the Least Petrel migrating along the coast of 
Lower California in company with the Socorro and Black Petrels, and in late July 
1 Proc, U. S. Nat. Mus., XIII. 1890, 141. 2 Auk, XV. 1898, 142. 
