306 PROCEEDINGS: BOSTON SOCIETY NATURAL HISTORY. 



Although most of the Murres retire farther south in winter, a mod- 

 erate number remain in the patches of open water off the southern 

 coast and Low records that in the open water of Hamilton Inlet they 

 were common until January 20th in 1894. 



We saw but very few Murres on the Labrador coast, namely, one 

 near Hawke's Harbor on July 16th, and ten near Indian Tickle on 

 July 17th. 



Uria lomvia (Linn.). 



Brunnich's Mtjrre. 



Common summer resident, a few winter. 



This species occurs with the preceding species in colonies on the 

 south and southeast coasts, but continues farther north into Hudson 

 Strait, where Turner obtained breeding birds. Eifrig ('05, p. 235) also 

 found it common all through this strait and Low ('06) adds that it 

 breeds in great numbers at Cape Wolstenholme, and remains in the 

 open water of Hudson Bay throughout the winter. Coues, in 1860, 

 recorded that great numbers were breeding in early July at Murre 

 Rocks, a few miles north of the harbor of Little Mecattina. He says : 

 "The birds at this date [July 6, 1860] were breeding on the islands by 

 tens of thousands; their number was truly incredible, and yet I was in- 

 formed that these were rather fewer than usual.'' 



Mr. Schmitt at Nain stated that they bred there early and in the 

 middle of July. 



Alca torda Linn. 

 Razor-billed Auk; "Tinker''; "Turre''; "Gudds" (Stearns). 



Common summer resident; a few winter. 



The Razor-billed Auk still breeds, in much diminished numbers, 

 however, on the numerous rocky islands that line the southern and 

 eastern Labrador coast. Turner states that it was not observed 

 in Hudson Straits, and we have no records for it on the western coast. 

 Kumlien says it "was seen on many occasions and often in close 

 proximity to the ship from the outer islands of the middle Labrador 

 coast to Frobisher Straits." 



Audubon in his "Journal" records the first of this species out of the 

 egg about July 4th. Cartwright records, on February 11, 1779, that 

 "during the whole of the winter season, small holes, like ponds, are 

 kept open on one side or other of most of the outer islands (by the 

 set of the wind) to which these birds resort for food." He occasionally 



