6 
fact that their thick, reddish bills seemed turned upward in different pose 
from the bills of all other auklets seen. None was seen definitely else- 
where. 
Aethia cristatella (Pallas). Crested Auklet 
On March 19, near Kodiak island, on the 21st, off Uyak bay (Kodiak 
island), and on the 23rd near Unalaska, strange and interesting flights of 
auklets were watched distantly. A densely massed column of flying birds, 
skimming the choppy waves, suddenly poured into the water, to stream 
out again after a few moments, then fly and dash out of sight. They flew 
into the water and flew out again, the head of the column always keeping 
its place and the train of birds always following the path of the leader. 
They were identified as probably of this species. Nothing more was seen 
of this bird until April 29 off cape Lopatka, Kamchatka, when two came 
aboard in a storm at night. Off Yetorup island, May 6, several flocks of 
auklets were taken to be of this species. On the return, July 13, it was 
met again in large numbers at Broughton bay. Several hundred were 
close to the ship, many refusing to fly, and being ridden down. On July 
15, 30 miles from Petropavlovsk a small flock of ten was seen doubtfully, 
and on the 19th one was shot from the rail but escaped the scoop-net. 
9 Kuril islands. April 29, 1924 
6 “ April 29, 1924 
In full summer plumage. 
Aethia pygmaea (Gmelin). Whiskered Auklet 
Nothing was seen of this beautiful auklet until the night of April 6, 
while in harliour at Atka island, several came aboard in a blinding snow- 
storm and three were secured. On April 11 about a hundred were seen in 
Kuluk bay, Adak island. On the return journey, in Bering sea, August 5, 
northeast of Attu island, five auklets were seen, probably this form. 
“A very lovely little 'sea quail’.” The wing has the appearance of 
being used under water. Bill, rose-madder red with bluish tip and base, 
and dark plate above the nostril. Iris, light, clear, yellowish grey. Toes 
and tarsus, bluish. Male had much longer 'whiskers’ and plumes than 
females. The plumes point forward curving down over the beak.” 
9 Atka, Aleutian island, Alaska. April 6, 1924. 
9 “ “ “ 6, 1924. 
9 “ “ “ 6, 1924. 
6 Kuluk bay, Adak island. April 10, 1924. 
Aethia pusilla (Pallas). Least Auklet 
Little was seen of this strange midget in the spring. A specimen 
came aboard during a heavy gale on the night of March 29, west of Bogoslof 
island. On April 29, off Atka island, three small auklets, taken to be 
Leasts, were seen. 
“Iris, palest shade of yellow; bill, black; toes and tarsus, bluish.” 
It was noted that the pupil of the living eye was much larger than that 
of the dead eye. It contracted very much after death, so that the dead 
eye appeared more full of colour than the living. 
On August 1, off cape Shipunski, Kamchatka, large numbers of tiny 
auklets were seen flying, and diving and bobbing on the choppy sea, but 
light conditions frustrated any hope of exact identification — a difficult feat 
with these small auklets under the best of conditions. On August 5, 100 
miles north of Kyska island in the Aleutians, three were seen near the rail 
