THE BIRD BOOK 



30a. California Muhre. Vrin iroille calif ornica. 



Range. — Pacific Coaist. breeding from the Farallones north to Alaska. 



This Pacific form of the common Murre is the most abundant breeding bird 

 on the Parallones. Their eggs are used in enormous numbers for commercial 

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

 from San Francisco, thousands of dozens of the eggs are sold yearly, chiefly 

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

 diminished to any great extent. They lay but a single egg on the bare ledge. 

 Individual eggs are indistinguishable from the last species but in a large 

 series the ground color averages brighter. They show the same great dif- 

 ference in color and markings. The first set is laid in May, but owing t& 

 their being so often molested, fresh eggs can be found during August. Data. — 

 Parallones, July 4, 1S95. Single egg laid on bare cliff. Collector, Thos. E. 

 Slevin. 



31. Brunnicii Murre. Uriii lomvia Jomvia. 



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

 Murre. 



A'uries from ^^"llite to greenish 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. They breed on 

 the same islands in company w-ith the common Murre and their eggs are indis- 

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

 cliff. About three hundred birds in the colony. 



