186 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XI 
Phalaropes, Curlew, Spotted Sandpipers, and some other waders were seen in 
migration. The Western Gulls ( Lams occidentalis) were scattered out, breeding 
on the small islands and detacht portions of the bluff. The largest colony 
found did not number over twenty-five pairs, and frequently only one pair 
would be breeding on a rock. We noticed that the nests built on the soil among 
the weeds and grass were rather flimsy in construction; while those built on the 
bare rock were bulky and well made. 
The commonest breeding water-bird was the Baird Cormorant ( Phalacrocorax 
pelagicus resfilendens) which was abundant on the mainland cliffs as well as on 
the steep sides of the small islands. Some of the nests of this species were easy to 
reach while others were practically inaccessible. The number of eggs laid was 
from two to four, generally three or four. 
Several colonies of Brandt Cormorandts ( Phalacrocorax penicillatus) were 
found on flat-topt rocky islands. In one such colon}’ 81 nests containing eggs 
were examined. Three of these contained five eggs each, the others mostly con- 
taining four which is, I believe, the usual complement. After watching these two 
species of cormorants at their nest-building we concluded that the moss composing 
the lining of the nests is all brought up from deep water, as the birds could be seen 
energetically diving for it in the deeper water altho it was plentiful in the 
shallows and on the rocks. 
As to the breeding plumage of these two species, from our observations it is not 
nearly complete when incubation is begun. In four specimens of the Brandt 
Cormorant which I took with half-incubated eggs, the filaments on the sides of the 
throat were so small as to be practically unnoticeable altho those on the back were 
well developt. In three breeding specimens of the Baird Cormorant taken, the 
filaments on sides of neck have not developt; while in one female taken on the 
nest, the white flank patches are absent. 
The Sea Pigeons ( Cepphus columba) commenced to breed the first week in 
May; and by May 20 their breeding season was at its hight. Their eggs were 
deposited in crevices in the sides and roofs of caves some of which could be entered 
dry-shod at low tide. The nesting burrows were from six to fifteen feet above high 
water. The eggs were generally two in number, and were laid on the dirt which 
accumulated in the nest cavity. In two cases I found birds incubating one egg. 
From one of these nests I took the female bird and found on dissection that she had 
finisht laying; so I believe that occasionally only one egg is laid. If the first set is 
taken, the birds will usually lay a second set in the same nest. The birds when 
disturbed give a peculiar whistle which resembles that of the male Anna Humming- 
bird in mating time, and seems singularly out of place coming from a bird of the 
size of the Guillemot. 
Altho I took several eggs of the Tufted Puffin ( Lunda cirrhata) in this 
locality in 1895, only a few pairs were noticed this year. They were evidently 
breeding on a rocky island about three-fourths of a mile out, as we watcht them 
thru a glass going and coming from their nesting burrows. As no boat was obtain- 
able and the water was too rough for so long a swim we were unable to inspect the 
nests. 
The rarest of the breeding water-birds in this locality, and the one in which we 
were most interested, was the Black Oystercatcher ( Haematopus bachmani) . 
Along this fifteen miles of coast there were probably a dozen pairs breeding. The 
nests are difficult to locate, and even more difficult to reach after they are located. 
This bird, like the Killdeer, makes the greatest outcry at a point considerably dis- 
tant from the nest, and the brooding bird will quietly slip from the nest at the first 
