Mar., 191o 
BIRDS OBSERVED ON vSANTA BARBARA ISLANDS 
89 
capa, but very few of their burrows were accessible. Those examined con- 
tained either young or egg-shells fjuly 5). Several birds noted flying about the 
west end of Santa Cruz ( July 10). On Prince Island the largest colony was 
found. Numerous burrows examined contained young from a few days to sev- 
eral week's old. I'lie birds when disturbed circled over the water and returned 
to their burrows only to repeat the performance (July 12). 
Ptychoramphns aleuticus. Cassin Auklet. A number of these birds seen as 
w'e approached Santa Barbara and one was taken. A thorough search of the 
northwest end of Santa Barbara netted nothing but the wings of those birds 
whose bodies had been eaten, probably by cats (July 2-3'). On Prince Island a 
very large colony nested on the northwest and north slopes, where there was 
ground in which it was possible for them to burrow. In many places the ground 
was so undermined by the nesting places of these birds as to render walking dif- 
ficult. At this season of the year the eggs had all hatched, as all the burrows 
examined contained good sized young (July 12). 
Brachyramphus hypoleucus. Xantus Murrelet. One egg of this bird taken 
from a hole on the northeast point of Santa Barbara Island, and several wings 
found (July 3). On Anacapa, three dried-up remains, one whole egg and nu- 
merous shells testified to the breeding of this bird on the island during this or 
some previous season. No live birds were noted (July 5). 
Cepphus columba. Pigeon Guillemot. These birds were seen carrying some 
material into inaccessible caves on the northern part of Santa Barbara Island, in- 
dicating that they had young (July 3). On Anacapa a pair were noted near the 
east end of the island. On the west end three nesting caves were found each 
containing a single well-grown youngster (July 5-6). These birds were breed- 
ing in considerable numbers at the Painted Caves on Santa Cruz (July 10). 
Numbers seen entering low caves on Prince Island (July 12). 
Uria troille californica. California Murre. At Prince Island there were sev- 
eral small colonies of these birds on the high overhanging ledges. The odor, 
filth and continual pig-like, grunting noises emitted by the numerous young made 
close inspection of these ledges quite an unpleasant task (July 12). Several eggs 
were collected, however, and they proved to be addled. One egg, in fact, which 
had been dug from the accumulations of guano, turned out to be an over-ripe 
specimen which tested the collector’s stomach during the blowing operation. 
Larus occidentalis. Western Gull. The first night out, while becalmed in a 
heavy fog some ten miles from Santa Barbara Island, these birds were seen pass- 
ing the boat, all flying unerringly in a southwesterly direction toward the island 
(July i). The young of this species on Santa Barbara were pretty well grown 
and proved very agile when pursued. They had a very amusing habit of “play- 
ing ostrich” by tucking their heads under a thick weed and closing their eyes, 
leaving their downy bodies entirely exposed (July 2-3). Colonies containing 
young were also found on Anacapa (July 5) and on Prince Island (July 12). 
Larus heermanni. Pleermann Gull. A number of these birds were seen near 
Santa Cruz Island (July 6). 
Puffinus creatopus. Pink-footed Shearwater. Seen in the channel between 
Santa Barbara and Anacapa islands (July 4). 
Puffinus griseus. Sooty Shearwater. Seen m company with the preceding 
species. 
Oceanodroma homochroa. Ashy Petrel. Found breeding at the “Painted 
Caves” on Santa Cruz Island 1 July 10). 
