The Xantus Murrelet 



where broken by fish or bird. Ahead are two dark specks — we change 

 our course so as to pass within fifty feet. They do not allow so close an 

 approach. There is the flap, flap, flap of their sturdy little wings on the 

 water and they are in full flight, barely skimming the surface. Now we 

 see the white breast, becoming more distinct as they characteristically 

 cross our bows, and we have positively identified the Xantus Murrelet. 



They soon alight and resume their search for food. It is sometimes 

 to be found on the surface, sometimes 

 to be obtained by diving. It is then 

 that the small loon-like wings be- 

 come useful, — the wings which, 

 though they enable the bird to at- 

 tain tremendous speed in flight, can- 

 not launch it from the ground. Once 

 under water the feet are little used ; 

 it is these short heavily muscled 

 wings with which it propels itself. 



If we wish to see it at rest, we 

 must follow it to its breeding grounds 

 on one of the islands and be pre- 

 pared to make a diligent search. 

 We go to a known colony but not a 

 bird is to be seen. On guard is the 

 deadliest of falcons, the red demon 



of the sky from whom there is no escape. So we climb and crawl over 

 rough and crumbling rock, through thick scrubs, up and down the steepest 

 inclines, until, under the face of a weathered sandstone cliff, we find some 

 broken egg shells — shells of a light tan color, spotted with lavender and 

 brown. 



These are from a past season. But this Murrelet has a well-marked 

 habit of returning to former nesting holes, so we scan the cliff for a 

 likely crevice. Eight feet above our heads the soft stone has weathered. 

 We climb to where we can look in, and there, five feet into the recess, 

 sits a small black bird. 



We know we have found the colony so we begin a systematic search 

 of the ravine, from the water's edge to the top of the island, six hundred 

 feet above the sea. The sites the birds choose are almost endless in 

 variety; what they demand is some natural hollow into which they may 

 crawl and be in the dark. This is usually found in soft rock; it matters 

 little to the birds whether on an imposing precipice or in a jutting rock 

 two or three feet high. Often a cave, large or small, will suit, especially 

 a remote corner where the roof is but a few inches from the floor. Often 



Taken on Anacapa Island 



Photo by Dickey 



XANTUS MURRELET CHICK 



H9I 



