14 



North American Birds Eggs. 



16. Cassin Auklet. Ptychoramphu.s aleuticuH. 



Range.— Pacific Coast from Alaska to Lower California, breeding nearly 

 throughout its range. 



A plain appearing bird about 9 in. in 

 length, with blackish upperparts relieved 



only by a white spot over the eye; breast *V 



and throat gray and belly white. This Auk- *^v 



let is fairly abundant on the Farallones, 

 breeding on the lower portions of the is- 

 land. The late Mr. C. Barlow says that it 

 is found in deserted rabbit burrows and in 

 all probability often excavates its own bur- 

 rows. It also nests among the cliffs placing 

 its eggs among the rocks in any crevice or 

 tunnel which may offer a dark retreat during 

 the day for they are nocturnal in their habits. '^^ hite.J 



The single egg which they lay is dull white in color, the inside of the shell 

 being a pale green, which color can only be seen by holding the egg to the 

 light. They are generally slightly nest stained. Size 1.80 x 1.30. Data. — Coron- 

 ado Islands, Cal., March 2;^, 1807. Single egg laid on the bare ground at end ot a 

 burrow three and one half feet long. Collector, E. A. Shives. 



I 7. Paroquet Auklet. Cyrlorrhijitrhus psittaculus. 



Range. — The Alaskan Coast, casually farther south in winter. 



This bird is about the same size as tile preceding, and the plumage is similar, 

 except that it has no white spot over the eye, and the breast is white. It also has 

 a slender plume extending from back of the eye. The bill is very peculiar, 

 being quite deep and rounded and having an upward tendency. It is orange 

 red in color. They breed very commonly on the islands of Bering Strait. Their 

 eggs are laid in the crevices of the cliff, often several feet in and bj' a crooked 

 path so that it is impossible to reach them. The single chalky white egg is 

 laid in May. Size 2.30x1.-15. Data.— Rocky Islet in the Aleutians, June 22, 

 1890. Single egg laid on bare rock in a deep crevice. Collector, Capt. S. Wilson. 



18. Crested Auklet. 



Shiioiityiichus rri.ttatcUii.fi. 



Range.— Alaskan Coast. Simi- 

 lar in form and plumage to the 

 latter, except that the whole under 

 parts are gray and it has a crest of 

 recurved feathers. The nesting 

 season begins in ^lay, the birds 

 nesting upon the same islands and 

 in the same kinds of sites as the 

 last species. The single egg is 

 chalky white. Size 2.10x1.50. Data.— 

 Unak Is., Alaska, July 1,1900. Egg 

 laid in a crevice among the rocks. 

 Collector,' F. Weston. 



