84 



NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 76 



Fig. 19. Common murres on nesting ledge typical of those found along coastal 

 cliffs and islands, 1973. Photo by M. H. Dick. 



photo), Shaiak Island (MHD photo; MRP photo), High Island, Twin 

 Islands, Black Rock, and Round Island. 



In spring at Cape Peirce, murres intermittently occupied the cliffs 

 from their arrival in late April until egg laying began in June. In 1973, tens 

 of thousands of murres occupied the cliffs and rafted on inshore waters 

 on 27 April, 2 May, 5-6 May, and 1 1 May but were virtually absent in the 

 intervening days; their presence was irregular until about 6 June. In 1976, 

 adults were on the colonies by 28 April and occupied the cliffs irregularly 

 until 12 June. Egg laying began between 5 and 1 4 June in 8 years between 

 1969 and 1986 (Table 6). Young hatched between 2 July and 1 August or 

 later and fledged (jumped from cliffs) as early as 25 July (Table 6). At Bird 

 Rock, J. L. Hout (personal communication) found eggs and chicks on 26 

 July 1969. At Round Island, some freshly broken eggs had half-grown 

 embryos on 9 July 1962. 



