386 THE FUR SEALS OF THE PRIBILOP ISLANDS. 



are louger than the adjoining ordinary dark feathers. Under the microscope these 

 club-shaped ends are seen to be double, each branch having long rami on each side, 

 the crossing and prolongation of which on the inner side producing the point. (See 

 figs. 2-4ffl, PI. XLl.) No. 62555, 5 , July 9, 1872, St. Paul, H. W. Elliott, has a white 

 patch behind each eye, but it is composed of the ordinary feathers. Other specimens 

 show a tendency to a stripe at this point, and some have the dark feathers tipped 

 with white. Dr. Stejneger has described the downy young from some specimens col- 

 lected by Lieut. J. B. Lutz on Otter Island, July 17, 1884, as bieing "dark smoky 

 gray; darker, nearly blackish on the head and sides of neck; chin, throat, and fore- 

 neck of the same general color, scarcely paler; rest of the under surface light ashy 

 gray" (No. 100378, U.S.N.M.). "Feet bluish gray, light between the toes, underside 

 black." — {Lutz.) Cruise of tho Gorwin, 1884, page 125. The eggs vary from white to 

 others showing very obscure spotting. One that I took on Walrus Island, June 13, 

 1890, was fresh, and measures 2.15 by 1.42. Two obtained by Elliott on St. George, 

 July 1, 1873, and July 27, 1873, measure, respectively, 2.20 by 1.55, 2.25 by 1.55. 

 No. 118675, 9 , U.S.N.M., June 5, 1890, St. Paul, W. Palmer, measured 10.25 long by 

 20.50 in extent. 



23. Simorhynchus cristatellus (Pall.). Crested Auklet. "Canooakie." 



Phaleris cristatellus, Coinde, Eev. et Mag. Zool., 1860, 402. 



Simorhynchus cristatellus, OouKS, in Elliott's Ept. Aff. Alaska, 1873; Reprint, 1875, 206. — Elliott, 

 Mon. Seal Ids., 1882, 134.— Niclson, Bds. Alaska, 1887, 41.— Townsend, Cruise, Cortcin, 1887, 

 98.— CouES,Key,1890,807.—A.O.U.Cli.Li8t,1895,7.—EiDGWAY, Man., 1896,13.— Stejneger, 

 Craise, Corioin, 1884, 126. —Grant, Cat., B. Br. Mus., 1898, 601. 



This is an abundant species and differs greatly in its habits from its relatives. 

 "This fantastic bird, the i)lnmed knight of the Pribilof Islands," breeds in colonies of 

 some 10 to 20 pairs on the roughest and usually most prominent points on the bluffs, 

 and I think also among the bowlders above high tide, and where the egg is placed in 

 the deepest and most inaccessible recesses. Unlike the preceding species, they 

 usually fly in small compact flocks over the land about their breeding places; and dur- 

 ing the season this is a common occurrence, especially near the village of St. George, 

 where, among the countless thousands of the least auklet, small flocks of this dark- 

 bodied and peculiarly crested species are conspicuous when they sweep in over the 

 land. At such times they fly over the arc of quite a large circle, returning again far 

 out to sea. Among the white residents they are known as "sea quail," and this name 

 is certainly suggestive, as their resemblance at even a little distance to California 

 quail is very striking. They are very wary, but may be readily observed with care. 

 Upon approaching a flock perched upon a rocky shelf they will instantly take flight. 

 One can then conceal himself as close to the place as i)ossible, for the birds will soon 

 return, not, however, flying directly to the place, but almost parallel with the shore 

 line. If nothing unusual is noticed, upon their next return they will perch upon the 

 shelf, though a few may repeat the trip. In this w%y I have made them repeat the 

 journey several times simply by showing myself a little. Some would perch and 

 watch, while otlier species would gradually gather around, and in their coinical way 

 wonder about the strange object moving between the rocks. When disturbed they 

 utter an honk-like sound impossible to describe on paper; but it is when quarreling 

 among the rocks that the climax is reached. While stepping one day from rock to 

 rock under one of the cliffs, I was startled by suddenly hearing the most unearthly 

 sounds issuing from among the rocks at my feet. I was soon satisfied that several 



