NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 
257 
effect mentioned by Audubon in his interesting account. The white breasts of 
the birds appeared in marked contrast to the duLl grey of the rocks, with which 
the color of the head and neck so well harmonized as to cause the birds to 
appear deprived of those very indispensable portions. To my great disap- 
pointment, I was not permitted to land and examine the islands and their 
inhabitants; our captain, as on other occasions, paying no regard to the wishes 
of the passengers. Again, on our return, though we passed between the 
islands, not for an hour, even, would he delay, to enable me to notice the birds 
or to obtain specimens. I am therefore unable to give any account of the man- 
ners of these most interesting birds. A barrel of eggs was procured, and 
placed at my disposal. 
The egg of the Foolish Guillemot is notorious among that of all other birds, 
for the variations it presents in size, shape, color and markings, but more es- 
pecially the latter. From a large number of specimens, I found the average 
size to be a very little over three inches and one-fourth in length, by two in 
greatest diameter, while the greatest difference in length was five-eighths of an 
inch. The diameter was much more constant, differing but one-fourth, thus 
causing the variations in shape to be exceedingly great. The ground color of 
the egg varies from a bright cream color to pure white, and then passing 
through earthy, greyish, bluish and greenish-white to light green, is found of 
every shade of the green to the very darkest, The more usual color is some 
shade of green. The markings of the cream colored and white specimens are 
usually spots and blotches of different shades of brown, pretty uniformly dispos ed 
over the whole surface. Eggs of this type bear the closest resemblance to 
those of Utamania torda , but may usually be easily distinguished by their larger 
size and more pyriform shape. The prevailing pattern of coloration among the 
light earthy and bluish- white eggs is a ring of spots around the larger end; 
these very closely resemble those of Uria grylle , as far as color is concerned. 
The green eggs present an infinite variety of patterns, which it would be use- 
less to attempt to define ; they are oftener streaked than blotched, the lines 
being angular and sharply defined, crossed and recrossed in the most fantastic 
manner. Occasionally a pure white egg is met with, and 1 have seen some 
that had much the peculiar pattern and appearance of those of Meleagris galli- 
pavo. 
The “ egging,” or traffic in the eggs of the Murre as at present carried on, is 
on systematic principles, and furnishes constant employment during the sum- 
mer to men who make it their profession. The method pursued to procure the 
eggs fresh is singularly unique, but entirely successful. They land on one of 
the islands and break every egg that they can find upon it ; the next day, re- 
pairing to the spot, all those eggs found cannot but be fresh. By collecting 
these, of course the birds are prevented from sitting, and thus any quantity of 
eggs may be procured. Notwithstanding the wholesale system of destruction 
thus carried on against the birds, they are still to be found in prodigious mul- 
titudes ; yet it is remarked by all those who have visited the coast for a num- 
ber of years, that their numbers are slowly but surely decreasing under this 
incessant persecution, which not even their myriads enable them to withstand. 
I was informed that there is a law which forbids the collecting of the eggs, 
but if so, it has very little practical effect. 
The present species, as well as the TJ. ringvia and U. arra, is known to the 
natives and fishermen as either the “ Murre” or “Turre,” the latter being per- 
haps the more usual appellation. This name is also applied to the Mergulus 
alle , which is known as the “Little Turre,” or sometimes as the “Little 
Noddie.” On the coast of Maine it is also called “ Ice-bird.” 
A letter was read from Dr. Jas. C. Fisher, resigning his office as 
Librarian of the Academy, on account of absence from the city in 
military service for the suppression of rebellion. 
On motion the resignation was accepted. 
1861 .] 
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