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FAMILY — ALCIDAE. AUKS, MUKRES, AND PUFFINS 
General Description. This family is composed of strictly maritime species of rare or 
only accidental occurrence on fresh water. Though most at home in the water, they stand 
upright on land and walk about with considerably more ease than do the Grebes or Loons. 
Their bills are subject to a greater degree of variation than the aforementioned families, 
ranging from the straight, tapering shape of the Murre (Figure 88) to the deeply compressed 
bill of the Puffin (Figures 81 and 82). 
Distinctions. The obvious diver-like form, combined with webbed feet and no hind 
toes (Figure 12, page 25), is diagnostic. 
Field Marks. General resemblance to Ducks, but the short necks, and pointed and 
in some cases deepened and flattened bill of the family are characteristic. 
Nesting. Breed in large colonies, many of mixed species, on rocky islets or inaccessible 
sea-washed cliffs. Build no nest, but lay their eggs directly cn the gictnd. Eggs are 
unusually large for the size of the bird and markedly pyriform, a shape that causes them to 
roll in circles rather than in straight lines and lessens the danger of their falling from the 
bare, rocky, nesting ledges. 
Distribution. Along the seacoast to the Arctic, rarely occurring on fresh water. 
There is considerable doubt expressed at present as to the inclusion of this family in the 
same order as the Grebes and Loons. The consensus of opinion seems to favour a closer 
relationship with the Gulls. Until a new and revised Check-list is brought out, however, 
it seems inexpedient to depart from the system that is familiar to most readers. 
This family frequents the open sea, coming ashore only to breed. 
The birds differ from the other Divers in habitually using their wings under 
water as in flying. In primitive Indian and fishing communities Sea- 
Divers and their eggs have in the past been much used for food. In certain 
localities, they may still be a most important food supply for tribes who have 
little other source of fresh meat and who have depended upon them from 
time immemorial. It is not suggested that they are legitimate food supply 
for white men, who are expected to provide themselves with other supplies 
beforehand. These birds are protected under the Migratory Birds Con- 
vention Act and cannot legally be killed anywhere or at any season in 
United States or Canada, except for personal consumption by certain 
Eskimos and Indians. 
Economic Status . Eating nothing but the smaller sizes of fish and 
crustaceans taken at sea, where the supplies are more than ample, there is 
little harm that these species can do. A new and modern enemy of these 
birds is the oil-burning ship. These have been in the habit of filling their 
fuel tanks with water as the oil is burned. On approaching harbour, or 
before refueling, this water is discharged into the sea and with it large 
amounts of oily waste and sludge, which floats on the surface and thor- 
oughly permeates the plumage of any birds swimming in it, quickly causing 
their death. A comparatively small amount of oil will cover a vast extent 
of sea and at times thousands of sea birds have been killed in this way. Steps 
have been taken to prevent th s pollution of the sea, and the danger to 
birds is being controlled. However, unavoidable loss of oil by such acci- 
dents as wrecks, and occasional violations of the law, still destroy numbers 
of birds every year. 
Subfamily — Fraterculinae, Puffins 
The Puffins are stockily built sea birds and like the others of the 
family strictly confined to salt water. Their striking peculiarity is a 
highly coloured and tremendously exaggerated bill. This is triangular in 
