The Coues Petrel 



variable quality, it presents an interesting contrast with the stolid con- 

 servatism of the other members of the beali-leucorhoa type. 



No. 414 



Coues's Petrel 



A. 0. U. No. 108. Oceanodroma homochroa (Coues). 



Synonym. — Ashy Petrel (name inappropriate). 



Description. — Adult: General color plumbeous black (very deep "ashy"), 

 clearest on back, crown, and sides of neck, lighter ashy on throat and sides of rump; 

 under tail-coverts plumbeous; considerable outcropping of white on under surface of 

 wing; belly and sides sooty brown, faintly washed with ashy, the usual light drab or 

 flaxen wing-patch formed by exposed edges of greater coverts, or else this patch clear 

 ashy (fresh plumage?). Bill and feet black. Length (av. of 7 Monterey Bay speci- 

 mens) : 193 (7.59) ; wing 136 (5.35) ; tail 75 (2.95) ; depth of fork 24 (.94) ; bill 13.2 (.52), 

 depth at base 5.6 (.22); tarsus 22.2 (.87). 



Recognition Marks. — Towhee size, the smallest of our petrels; ashy cast of 

 plumage and absence of white on rump distinctive for size. 



Nesting. — Egg: Single, oval, pure white, or, very rarely, faintly wreathed with 

 reddish dots; placed in crevice of wall or rock slide or under driftwood. Av. size 28.7 x 

 21.8 (1.13 x .86). Season: c. June 1st. 



Range (Wholly contained within California waters). — Breeds chiefly on the 

 Southeast Farallon Island, but also sparingly south to Santa Cruz Island. Obtained 

 elsewhere only off Monterey, and in waters adjoining the western Channel Islands. 



Authorities. — Coues (Cymochorea homochroa), Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 

 1864, p. 77 (orig. desc. ; type locality, Farallon Islands); Dawson, Condor, vol. xiii., 

 191 1, p. 177 (Farallon Ids.; habits; nomencl.); Howell, Pac. Coast Avifauna, no. 12, 

 1 9 I 7* P- 34 (s. Calif, ids.); Loomis, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., ser. 4, vol. ii., pt. 2, no. 12, 

 1918, p. 171 (syst. ; eggs) ; Bent, U. S. Nat. Mus., Bull. no. 121, 1922, p. 159 (life hist.). 



UNCLE SAM may flatter himself that he owns the Farallon Islands, 

 those guardian rocks which lie like couchant lions some twenty-five miles 

 off the entrance to the Golden Gate — and, indeed, it is fortunate that 

 Uncle Sam has the say regarding human intruders — but his claims are 

 flimsy and superficial in comparison with those of the ancient occupants. 

 The real owners of these storied piles are the gulls, the murres, the auklets, 

 and the petrels. Their title antedates the Doomsday Book, or possibly 

 the Garden-of-Eden decree itself. The claims of the petrels, at least, 

 are not obtrusive; and these gentle birds find the works of man, — stone 

 walls, mortarless bulkheads, and the tiny railroad embankments, which 

 extend from the landing place to the keepers' houses, — very much to their 

 liking. If you would realize the full extent of Petreldom, you must wait 



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