The Crested Auklet 
259 
crustaceans, less than a quarter of an inch in length, are amazingly 
abundant in Alaskan waters and, as a never-failing food-supply, account 
for the surprising abundance of auklets of all kinds. 
The native Aleuts eat auklets, just as they do most other kinds of 
sea-birds, and capture them with nets that are like a large dip-net with a 
long handle. The native hunter conceals himself at some point near the 
beach or bluffs over which the birds are accustomed to 
fiy close. When a flock approaches, the net is swung ^Aukfets^^ 
upward, and a skilful native has little difficulty in 
catching two or three birds out of each flock that passes. The Aleut 
people are true children of Nature, and the greater part of their food 
consists of the Ashes, seals, and sea-birds found along their shores. The 
misty and often stormy coasts would be desolate indeed without the lively 
presence of auklets ; and we cannot help wishing that they abounded in 
more southern latitudes, where their charming ways could be better 
known. Some of nature’s flnest exhibitions of bird-life, however, are 
arranged without reference to civilized spectators. 
The Crested Auklets arrive at the Pribilofs in May, and remain until 
the winter ice begins to invest the islands, when they go farther south. 
They are noisy in the breeding season when about their nests, but are 
rather silent at other times. 
While they take alarm and leave the cliffs when closely approached, 
they have more confidence when on the water, and do not readily dive 
or take flight except to make way for the boat. About islands where 
they are not especially abundant they may yet be a^ thick as bees at 
some particular cliff, long rows of them lined up on the ledges, while 
others are coming and going. Sometimes we saw them far off shore in 
flocks hundreds of yards in extent. They are a plump, well-fed race, 
and appear to have plenty of time for play, both in the air and on the 
water. 
The Crested Auklet is distinguished by its much larger size from its 
nearest relatives, the Whiskered and Least Auklets, 
and by the differently shaped bill and the presence of ^^FeatureT 
a recurved crest from the Paroquet Auklet. More- 
over, the underparts are entirely dark in the Crested Auklet, but largely 
white in the three allied species. 
Males and females are alike in plumage, which is sooty black above, 
and brownish beneath ; but this obscure coloring is relieved by the lively 
crest, the bright red of the beak, and the white, plume-like feathers which 
extend downward and backward from the eye. The white iris also 
contributes to the alert appearance of the bird’s head. The feet are 
bluish, with dark webs. That part of the red beak around the corner 
of the mouth is soft and flexible. 
The forward-curved crest of this auklet, resembling that of the Cali- 
fornia Quail, suggests the name “Sea-quail,” by which it is known to 
English-speaking persons. The native name “Kanooska” is of Russian 
origin, and means Little Captain. 
