NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 
251 
The eggs, though differing considerably in their markings, are comparatively 
uniform in size and shape, being usually about three inches in length, by a very 
little less than two in breadth. The ground color is either pure white or with 
a creamy or light bluish tinge. The spots are of different shades of umber 
brown, very often attracted into a ring around the larger end, but sometimes 
pretty uniformly distributed. They vary in size from mere points to large 
blotches. The eggs, though thus differing among themselves, still always 
preserve a certain character distinct from that of the Murre, through all the 
endless variations of the latter. They are smaller, their shape is less elon- 
gated, they are never of a green ground color, and are never fantastically 
streaked and lined — the more usual pattern among those of the Murre. 
I was not a little surprised, when I visited the Puffin Islands, to find there 
the Auks also, breeding in considerable numbers. I estimated that a fourth or 
fifth part of the many thousand birds breeding there were of this species. On 
the north side the island is rocky and precipitous, and there the birds princi- 
pally collected ; yet on all other sides they were mixing indiscriminately with 
the Puffins, and laying their single egg in the deserted holes of the latter. In 
these holes, -where the earth was comparatively dry and warm, not a vestige of 
a nest of any kind was found, the egg being deposited on the bare ground. 
Associated so intimately, I never saw the slightest semblance of any difficulty 
between the two species, although in some instances they were incubating in 
contiguous holes. At that date (July 25th) some of the eggs were quite fresh, 
and I found young birds, from which is to be inferred that the species is not 
very exact as to the time of laying its eggs. 
I noticed another fact that I do not recollect of having seen recorded; it is, 
that the Auks associate in considerable numbers with the Murres. While 
passing the well-known rocks where the latter were breeding in tens of thou- 
sands, among the countless flocks flying constantly around us, we never failed 
to detect some of the Auks, either in flocks by themselves or mixing indiscrimi- 
nately with the Murres. Although the two birds are identical in size and 
colors, they could always be distinguished, even at the distance of a long gun 
shot, by their bills ; the long, slender and pointed ones of the Murres contrast- 
ing distinctly with the short, thick, seemingly truncate bills of the Auks. As 
a natural consequence of this intermingling, the eggs must of necessity be con- 
founded ; yet I do not think it would be difficult to distinguish with tolerable 
certainty the two kinds, by the differences already pointed out. 
It would seem the Razor-billed Auk is capable of conforming its habits in a 
remarkable degree to suit varying circumstances, while carrying out the great 
law of reproduction. Its eggs are deposited in fissures and caverns with the 
Black Guillemot, on the bare rock with the Murre, and in holes in the ground 
with the Puffin. The time of depositing its eggs, and their number, (?) also 
vary. The fact of its associating in perfect harmony with other species to the 
extent which it does, indicates the possession of a remarkably peaceful dispo- 
sition. It is known universally to all fishermen and eggers, as well as to the 
natives, by the singular name of “ Tinker Its proper name I never heard 
applied to it. 
Mormon arcticus?* Illiger. — Arctic Puffin. “ Parrakeet.” 
Mormon arciicus , Aud., Birds Amer. vii. 238, pi. 464. Cassin, Gen. Rep. 903. 
The habit of collecting in immense numbers at particular localities during 
* A series of Puffins recently received from Europe by the Smithsonian Institution, has 
raised a. doubt with regard to the specific identity of the American bird with the true 
M. arciicus of Europe. I have therefore thought it proper to give the name arcticus with 
a query. It is also believed that there is on the Labrador coast an undescfibed species 
of Mormon , in addition to the present. Prof. Baird is at present investigating the subject, 
the results of which will soon be published in a monograph. 
1861.] 
