LIFE HISTORIES OF NORTH AMERICAN DIVING BIRDS. 141 
been reported from southeastern Alaska; Ketchikan, May 16; How- 
kan, April 12; Warren Channel, May 19. 
Fall migration—They have been recorded from the Pribilof 
Islands as late as November 7, the Aleutian Islands (Krenitzin 
Islands) August 14, and Prince William Sound region August 11. 
A bird taken August 9 on Puget Sound, Washington, was an early 
migrant. The earliest arrivals on the Californian coast, at Point 
Pinos, were seen October 21 and at Monterey September 2, and they 
are stated to reach Japan (Yezzo) in October. 
Casual records—A single specimen was taken on Lake Kosh- 
konong, Wisconsin, in October; one at Toronto, Ontario, November 
18; and one on the Canadian side of Lake Erie November 15. Has 
been recorded from the Pribilof Islands (St. George). 
Egg dates——Sanak Island, Alaska: 12 records, June 11 to July 28; 
6 records, June 25 to 30. Southern Alaska; 7 records, May 1 to 
July 16; 4 records, May 20 to June 11. Queen Charlotte Islands: 
2 records, April 20 and June 10. 
BRACHYRAMPHUS MARMORATUS (Gmelin). 
MARBLED MURRELET. 
HABITS. 
While cruising northward through the picturesque inside pas- 
sages which extend from Puget Sound to Alaska, where the heavily 
timbered hills rise abruptly from the water, range after range up 
to the snow-capped mountain tops, and where frequent waterfalls 
come tumbling down over the cliffs into the placid waters of the 
bays and channels, we frequently saw these little sea birds skimming 
over the surface of the water. This is their chosen summer home, 
for, unlike the other murrelets and auklets, they seem to prefer 
these sheltered waters to the open sea. They were always shy and 
generally flew away so far in advance of the ship that it required 
sharp eyes to see them, but occasionally- when surprised near at 
hand they were forced to escape by diving. Near Ketchikan we 
collected a few by chasing them in a skiff, but this required con- 
siderable chasing, for they were always on the alert. If we chanced 
to get near them they would dive like a flash, but at a greater dis- 
tance they would jump into the air and fly away with a burst of 
speed. We had the best success in drifting upon them with the 
tide, or down wind, while they were fishing in the tide rips, and 
taking a long shot at them as they rose. 
Nesting—Somewhere in this general region are their breeding 
grounds, .but we did not succeed in finding them, nor have any 
other ornithologists, several of whom have spent considerable time 
in the search. I have even offered substantial rewards to natives 
