CALIFORNIA WATER BIRDS. 201 



the fog wholly disappeared. Decidedly the greatest 

 movement of California Murres during my sojourn took 

 place on this da}^ During the first part of the forenoon 

 great numbers were going down the coast within a few 

 hundred yards of the surf. I spent several hours between 

 the buoy and the outer rocks at Pt. Pinos watching them 

 pass by. They moved chiefly in large wedge-shaped 

 flocks, of greater size on an average than any previously 

 seen. When the fog lifted we went out about three miles 

 north of the buoy. Two miles from land and beyond 

 great numbers of Murres were on the water, scattered 

 about in large companies. They appeared to be very 

 tired. Many tried to fly when approached, but most of 

 these fell back upon the water after flying a few yards. 

 Some of them did not rise high enough to keep from 

 striking the water with their wings, and a high wave 

 generally threw them back upon the water. One was 

 discovered asleep with his bill tucked under his wing. 

 He did not wake until the boat was almost upon him. A 

 young bird with wings not developed sufficiently for flight, 

 was taken. It was under the care of an adult. No other 

 was seen. 



Over two miles off shore, a male Rodgers's Fulmar was 

 secured. It was flying about apparently searching for 

 food. Its generative organs had the same degenerate ap- 

 pearance as those in the Fulmars previously taken. Its 

 plumage was much worn. It was also moulting and new 

 feathers were appearing. There was some migration in 

 Dark-bodied Shearwaters. They appeared in twos, 

 threes, and fours during the fog, passing within a few 

 hundred yards of the surf between the Seaside Labora- 

 tory and buoy as they made their way down the coast. 

 Two were resting on the water with the Murres. Many 

 small companies of Northern Phalaropes were journeying 



