North American Birds Eggs. 



19 



30a. California IMurre. Urid. troilecalifornim. 



Range.— Paeitic Coast, breeding from the Farallones north to Alaska. 



This Paeitic form of the common Murre is the most abundant breeding bird on 

 the Farallones. Their eggs are used in enormous numbers for commercial 

 purposes and these islands being located, as they are, within easy distance from 

 San Francisco, thousantls of dozens of the eggs are sold yearly, chiefly to 

 bakeries. Although continually robbed, their numbers have not as yet dimish- 

 ed to any great extent. They lay but a single egg on the bare ledge, "individual 

 eggs are indistinguishal)le from the last species i)ut in a large series the ground 

 color averages lirighter. They sliow the same great dii^erence in color and mark- 

 ings. The first set is laid in May, but owing to their being so often molested, 

 fresh eggs can be found during August. Data. — Farallones, July 4, 1895. Single 

 egg laid on bare cliff. Collector, Thos. E. Slevin. 



31. Brunnich Murre. Uria Utinria. 



Range. — North Athmtic Coast, breeding rarige the same as the common 

 Murre. 



(Varies friiin white to "reenish blue.] 



This species differs from the common Murre in having a shorter and thicker 

 bill, the base of the cutting edge of which is less feathered. Thej' breed on the 

 same islands in company with the common Murres and their eggs are indis- 

 tinguishable. Data. — Coast of South Labrador. Single egg laid on ledge of 

 cliff. About three hundred birds in the colony. 



31a. Pallas Murre. Uriri loiiiria arm. 

 Range.— The North Pacific coasts and islands. 



This is the Paciflc form of Brunnich Murre. Its breeding range is more 

 northerly than that of the California variety. Countless thousands of them 

 breed on the islands off the coast of Alaska, their breeding habits and eggs 

 being the same as the more southern form. 



