The Xantus Murrelet 



If a heavy wind brings white-caps too close, it dives into and through 

 the waves, emerging in the trough. And it is here that one of the trag- 

 edies of its life is enacted. At the times of the real south-easters, when 

 day after day the sea is piled mountain high and the tiny prey seeks 

 stiller and deeper waters, then many a poor murrelet, weak from hunger, 

 faces a struggle with the elements that calls for every reserve of vitality 

 and endurance. The bodies strewn upon the beaches after every big 

 storm bear evidence of the number that have failed. 



But on a typical summer day it rests on the glassy surface, rising 

 and falling with the gentle swell. With its mate, or perhaps a small 

 family group, it searches for the marine invertebrates on which it feeds. 

 Sometimes one bird, or both, disappears for a moment, attracted by food 

 a few feet below. If disturbed or frightened it flies, not far, not straight, 

 but with surprising velocity, curving until it again drops into the water. 

 Its range is the vicinity of the southern California islands. From 

 the Santa Barbara group on the north, straggling as far as Monterey Bay, 

 it is the only resident murrelet to be found until it meets its cousin, 

 the craveri. Their point of intergradation is somewhat indeterminate, 

 but probably occurs about four hundred miles below the California- 

 Mexican boundary, in the vicinity of Cedros Island. Sixty years ago 

 two specimens of the Xantus were taken near Cape San Lucas, but the 

 use of that record in describing the present day distribution would be 



misleading. 



Within its area it is 

 likely to be confused 

 with only two other 

 birds. The Ancient 

 Murrelet, which often 

 comes down in mid-win- 

 ter, is decidedly larger, 

 and has fourteen rec- 

 trices instead of twelve. 

 The Cassin Auklet is 

 slightly smaller, but its 

 breast is a brownish grey 

 instead of an immac- 

 ulate white. 



It is early summer; 

 we are in a fishing boat, 

 cruising. There is hard- 

 ly a breath of air, not a 



Taken on Los Coronados Islands, L. C. Photo by Donald R. Dickey J m 



adult xantus murrelet on eggs ripple on the water save 



1490 



