12 
BIRDS OF DURHAM AND VICINITY. 
wier in Oyster river and was taken alive. Two other specimens were 
shot at about the same time. There seemed to be an unusual flight 
of murres that fall, for they appeared inland at least as far as Lake 
Winnipesaukee and adjacent waters in such numbers that many were 
shot. The stomach of one of- the Oyster-river specimens examined 
by me contained four fish, each about four inches long. The general 
appearance of this murre is similar to that of the Razor-billed Auk, 
but it may be readily identified by its tail, which is square, while the 
auk's tail is distinctly tapering. 
Alca torda. Razor-billed Auk. 32. 
This is another winter bird that is found in more or less abundance 
on the coast every year from November to March. I have not learned 
that it visits Great Bay, though I presume that it does so. The bill 
of this auk varies greatly in size at different seasons. In spring the 
maxilla is increased in height, making the bill quite deep, whence the 
name Razor-bill. In autumn the maxilla has lost its nuptial addition, 
and then is only an ordinary acute beak, not unlike that of the 
guillemot. 
Alie alle. Dovekie. 34. 
This diminutive auk, less than nine inches in length, only appears 
in winter along the coast. They are occasionally killed by gunners 
and fishermen, who are sometimes able to strike them clown with an 
oar. I have known of a few instances in which an individual has 
been blown a considerable distance inland by northeast storms. It 
is by no means rare, and almost every collection of birds made near 
the sea has at least one. They are said to feed largely on crabs, 
shrimps, and other small Crustacea. 
Order LONGIPENNES. 
Family STERCORARIID^. 
Stercorarius parasiticus. Parasitic Jaeger. 37. 
This is the only jaeger that I have found trace of in this vicinity. 
Mr. Shaw has one in his collection, which he obtained at Hampton. 
Its general appearance except its color, is quite similar to that of a 
gull, but its dark brown dress and lengthened middle tail-feathers are 
entirely different from any of our gulls. It breeds in the high north, 
and occurs here as only a winter visitant. 
