CALIFORNIA ^\'ATER BIRDS. 211 



Lunda cirrhata. Tufted Puffin. — Individuals were 

 quite common from the outset. Most of them appeared to 

 be south bound migrants. I was told that a small breeding 

 colony was located every year on an islet in Carmel Bay. 

 The " Sea Parrots " apparently have a great deal of 

 curiosity, for they were often observed to change their 

 course when flying by so as to pass near the boat. One, 

 on being shot at, flew back in the direction from which it 

 came for a considerable distance; then it returned, pass- 

 ing close to the boat, and seemingly scrutinizing it. 



In a male shot July 13th, the ear-tufts are very short, 

 being worn off at the end. In another male, August 4th, 

 one ear-tuft has entirely disappeared and several worn 

 feathers alone remain of the other. Birds of the year, 

 strong of wing, were observed as early as the first week 

 of August. 



Ptychoramphus aleuticus. Cassin's Auklet. — So far 

 as determined, Cassin's Auklet occurred only as a migrant. 

 It was first noted July 31st. 



Brachyramphus marmoratus. Marbled Murrelet. — 

 The Marbled Murrelet appeared early in July, but it did 

 not become common until at the end of the month. With 

 the exception of a single female taken August 15th, all 

 the adults secured were in the "marbled" plumage. 

 This female was nearly in complete winter garb. Its 

 ovary did not have the appearance of recent functional 

 enlargement, as was the case in the other females exam- 

 ined. This circumstance may account for its earlier as- 

 sumption of the winter dress. 



Brachyramphus hypoleucus. Xantus's Murrelet. — 

 Of a Murrelet shot July 28th on the ocean three miles 

 north of Pt. Pinos, Mr. Ridgway has written me: " — the 

 bird is Brachyramphus hypoleucus with an unusually short 



