DIVING BIRDS 87 



BRUNNICH'S MURRE 



Brunnich's ]\Iurre ranges through the islands and along 

 the coast of the Xorth Atlantic and Arctic oceans. 



Murres are aquatic birds and, like the auks and puffins, 

 are eminently gregarious. This species is the only varietj 

 that reaches the interior of Xorth America, as occasionallj 

 specimens are observed on the Great Lakes, where they 

 have evidently strayed out of their course, perhaps have 

 been carried from the sea coast by inclement weather. These 

 birds are found usually on the Atlantic Coast from New 

 York northward to the Arctic regions. Murres inhabit the 

 islands throughout the Arctic Ocean off the coast of Asia 

 and Europe. 



In Europe they are robbed of their eggs for food. Each 

 female deposits the single egg on the bare rocks, often 

 Avithout any protection from the elements. The eggs are 

 remarkably well adapted to their surroundings, as they are 

 thick-shelled, long and pointed, so that when disturbed the 

 eggs do not roll oflf the cliffs, but simply describe the arc of 

 a circle. Hundreds of birds may be found incubating within 

 a radius of one hundred yards, sitting peaceably side by side 

 in their congested quarters. 



The eggs show marked variations; some are green with 

 large black markings, others are pure white, still others are 

 yellow with chocolate scrawls. This great variation in 

 coloration may enable each bird to recognize her own egg. 

 Clouds of birds may be seen circling not far from some huge 

 rugged rocks jutting out into the raging sea, while uttering 



