The Fulmars 



coast of eastern Asia. The best-known breeding stations are — or were — 

 upon the Bonin Islands, which lie some 500 miles southeast of Japan 

 and are administered by the Japanese Government. Concerning the 

 treatment accorded to her feathered wards, Nippon's confession (when 

 she is moved to confession) must be, 



"And I had done a hellish thing." 



No. 403 



Fulmar 



No. 403a Pacific Fulmar 



A. O. U. No. 86b. Fulmarus glacialis glupischa Stejneger. 



Synonyms. — Glupisch (Russian name). Mollemawk. Molly Mawk. 

 Whale-bird. 



Description. — Adult, light phase: Head and neck all around, rump, and under- 

 pays white; remaining upperparts (the mantle) ashy gray or neutral gray, blackening 

 on exposed quills. Adult, dark phase, and Immature: Entire plumage neutral gray or 

 sooty plumbeous. Every gradation between these two plumages exists, the commonest 

 being neutral gray above, lightening on head, neck, and rump, with remaining plumage 

 (except the lores) white. The lighter birds are probably older, and the whole "phase" 

 scheme may resolve itself into a matter of age. Bill yellow tinged with greenish ; feet 

 yellowish gray. Downy young: white. Length (of 10 Monterey specimens) 435.9(17.16); 

 wing 301 (11.85); bill' length 36.1 (1.42), depth at base 16.7 (.66); tarsus 48.8 (1.92). 



Recognition Marks. — Crow size; but more naturally comparable to gull; 

 ashy gray and white, or bluish sooty, plumage; pelagic habits; stouter bill and more 

 robust proportions (especially of head) as compared with Shearwaters. 



Nesting. — Does not breed in California. Nests in colonies. Egg: Single, oval 

 or elongate ovate, of rough chalky texture; white; laid on bare rock or in crevice in 

 cliff. Av. size 71. 1 x 50.8 (2.80 x 2.00). Season: May 15-June 15. 



Range of Fulmarus glacialis. — North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. 



Range of F. g. glupischa. — Breeds at least upon the Commander Islands; winters 

 from the Aleutians south to Lower California. 



Occurrence in California. — Common in migrations and in winter upon the 

 ocean, at least from Monterey southward and at varying distances from shore. Occa- 

 sionally visits harbors, as San Francisco Bay and Santa Barbara (several records). 

 Found upon the fishing banks 60 miles from San Pedro by the thousands (Howell). 



Authorities. — Cooper {Fulmarus pacificus), Am. Nat., vol. iv., 1871, p. 758 

 (off Monterey) ; Godman, Monogr. Petrels, pt. iv., 1909, p. 270, pi. 78; Howell, Pac. 

 Coast Avifauna, no. 12, 1917, p. 30 (s. Calif, ids.) ; Loomis, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., ser. 

 4, ii., pt. 2, no. 12, 1918, p. 87 (crit. ; syst). 



WHILE Fulmars of both species are of regular occurrence in fall and 

 winter along our coasts, a first-hand knowledge of them is not often 

 vouchsafed to any but fishermen whose work takes them to offshore banks, 

 or at least outside the kelp-line. Occasionally, however, these birds do 



1992 



