The Cassin Auklet 



pieces in a single night in their effort to locate their proper burrows. In 

 this respect they remind one of nothing else so much as beetles or moths 

 which come hurtling into the region of candle light, and without an in- 

 stant's pause for presumed necessary recovery, begin an animated search 

 for an imaginary exit. This crash -and -crawl method seemed not 

 exceptional but characteristic. It was especially noticeable in the paved 

 area just outside our workroom doors. (We occupied an outbuilding of 

 the light-keepers' quarters.) Crash ! announced the arrival of another 

 food-laden wanderer from the unknown. The impact against the building 

 invariably stunned the bird so that it fell to the ground, but immediately 

 it began a frantic search, and as likely as not, before we could lay hands on 

 it, it disappeared under a crack in the doorstep. "Right here," from a 

 certain spot under the floor announced the home-coming, and so enthu- 

 siastic would be the reception accorded the tipsy reveler that for a time 

 all human conversation above had to be suspended. 



The Cassin Auklets are everywhere on the Southeast Farallon. Bur- 

 rows, of course, predominate, but there is not a cranny, nook, cleft, crack, 





Si 



- - 



^ ■%= 



Taken on the Southeast Farallon 



AN ANCIENT NESTING GROUND 



Photo by the Author 



1471 



