CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NATURAL HISTORY OF ALASKA. 117 



Nazan Bay, on Atkha Island, attracted my attention early every morning by their harsh, cack- 

 ling- notes as the parent flew toward the bay to obtain food. I endeavored to discover whence the 

 parent came, and posted myself near the track it usually flew, but the intervening hills pre- 

 vented me from detecting the locality. I could not but observe the regularity with which the 

 morning visit was made to the bay. It never varied ten minutes from 8 o'clock a. m. 



The flesh of this bird is considered palatable by many of the Aleuts and most of the people 

 near Saint Michael's. 



This species remains among the Aleutian Islands the entire year, but less in winter than in 

 summer. 



Quite a number of these Loons breed on Semichi and Agattu, of the Nearer Group. 



12. LundA CIRHATA Pall. Tufted Puffin. 



The Tufted Puffin is common iu the neighborhood of Saint Michael's, though here not more than 

 one-third iu number compared with F. corniculata. At some of the localities south of the Kavyayak 

 Peninsula these birds abound. On the outer side of Whale Island, near Saint Michael's, they are 

 more plentiful than elsewhere in the immediate vicinity of Saint Michael's. A number of pairs 

 breed on the little round island just outside of Whale Island, to the right of the entrance to Saint 

 Michael's. A few also breed on Egg Island, to the northward of the entrance to the harbor. At Cape 

 Newenham but few of these birds were seen in comparison to the number of F. corniculata, with 

 which they are generally associated. Along the northern shores of the Aliaskan Peninsula they 

 were seen in considerable numbers, as they were also at the Pribylof Group, Saint Matthew's and 

 Saint Lawrence Islands. Among the Aleutian Islands, and on the south side of Aliaska, with 

 adjacent islands, these Puffins are found in great numbers. Some of the islands afford better 

 locations for breeding, and these are resorted to by incredible numbers of these birds. Their food 

 consists of mollusks and other marine food, such as small fish. 



The nesting habits of this Puffin resemble those of the Horned Puffin. My own observations 

 show that the former prefer the cliffs and edges of bluff's overgrown with grass, which has made 

 an accumulation of soil on the tops and edges of some bluff's to a depth of several feet. This soil 

 is a perfect network of holes and burrows of these birds. That species of grass usually grows in 

 large tussocks, and the falling stalks and blades, overlapping the other tussocks, form a convenient 

 retreat for these birds, and doubtless the grass is of ranker growth, due to the excrement of these 

 birds coming almost in contact with the grass roots. It is not without danger to attempt to walk 

 among these tussocks, as their roots are not strong, for the least misstep would precipitate the 

 person many feet below. 



The nest is usually the bare earth, whereon a single egg is laid. The young take to the water 

 before being able to fly. The parent bird assists the youug to the water. 



The adult bird may be found many miles from land. They probably visit certain localities 

 far off in search of food. 



During perfectly calm weather they experience great difficulty in rising from the water, but 

 will flop and kick along the surface for many rods and suddenly drop. When alighting on the 

 water they usually dive under the surface for a few feet. They are expert divers, and when 

 wounded are difficult to obtain until life is extinct. They are extremely ricious when caught, and 

 with their powerful jaws they can inflict a severe wound, not relaxing their holcl until the beak is 

 pried apart. Their claws are extremely sharp, and scratch deeply into the hand, inflicting painful 

 wounds. The skin of this bird is very tough ; and, as the plumage is nearly uniform in color, 

 these Puffins are much sought for by the natives, who use their skins to convert into articles of 

 clothing. 



While the natives are on the summer hunt for sea otters they improve the days unfavorable for 

 that pursuit iu visiting the breeding localities of the Tufted and Horned Puffins, to catch them for 

 their skius. The hand is usually protected with a leathern glove of seal-skin, or else a coat sleeve 

 is wrapped around on the hand. The bird makes little attempt to avoid capture, but holds by the beak 

 to the person, and uses its feet to best advantage. The natives endeavor to catch the bird by the 

 wing, as the claws are then used to retard the bird being withdrawn from its crevice or hole, and, 

 besides, in the struggle, if the bird should be taken by the body the feathers might be pulled out. 



