abundant. On the American side, it breeds as far south as the Santa 

 Barbara Islands, Cahfornia, and as far north as Cape Lisburne, in 

 northwestern Alaska. It is, however, of comparatively rare occur- 

 rence in Arctic waters. On the Asiatic side, its breeding-range ex- 

 tends as far south as Japan ; while its center of abundance is generally 

 conceded to be the Aleutian Islands. Deposition of eggs occurs as 

 early as May 1 in southern California, and as late as August 1 in 

 northern latitudes; but fresh eggs may also be found somewhere 

 from June 1 to June 20 at any given point in its breeding-range. 

 Thus, on certain islets off the coast of Washington, I have found the 

 puffins punctual to a day, and deposition occurring with practical uni- 

 formity; whereas, on the Farallones, in 1911, there was a steady 

 increase in- numbers from the 1st to the 28th of May, with a few 

 still to be heard from on June 3. The winter range of this species 

 comprises the open ocean, and the birds are occasionally driven shore- 

 ward along the Aleutian chain and the adjacent coasts. 



From time immemorable, the natives of the North Pacific islands 

 have placed large dependence upon the puffins, both tufted and 

 horned, to supply both food and clothing. Advantage is taken of 

 the bird's inability to alter quickly its course of flight — your puffin 

 is no dodger — and large numbers are caught annually by means of 

 small nets mounted on poles — a sort of glorified butterfly-hunt. The 

 puffin-meat is not distasteful, as sea-birds go, although white men do 

 not care for it. More important to the native Aleutian is the uni- 

 formly tough skin which goes into the making of parkas, the famed 

 feather-coats of the North. These garments, each requiring the use 

 of from forty-five to fifty puffin skins, are made up feather-side in, and 

 are nearly impervious to cold. 



With the natives we shall, of course, have to be very patient until 

 such times as they may be able to get other food, such as we our- 

 selves eat, instead of the flesh of "torporki" (The name for the puffin 

 in the Commander Islands) and garments made of good wool, instead 

 of the flimsy bird-skins. With the foreign born fishermen we shall 

 have to be very firm, reminding them that Uncle Sam is very unwill- 

 ing to see his guests assault the ancient rights of his feathered wards. 



For ourselves, we need no excuse for our interest in these quaint 

 old-men-of-the-sea, the tufted puffins. Remote, unobtrusive though 

 they be, they belong to us to study, to protect, and to enjoy. A visit 

 paid to one of their breeding haunts is like a trip to fairyland, a real 

 and tangible bit of romance. Such a privilege, properly exercised, is 

 the inherent right of every American citizen, and should be safe- 

 guarded to our children for all time. 



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