240 
CH ARADRI IFORMES 
and lightly, with bill and tail cocked up at a perky angle, and converse in 
low, soft whistles. On being approached by a boat, they seem indifferent 
at first, but gradually grow uneasy and circle with increasing confusion. 
Just as their panic seems to culminate, and they are apparently in doubt 
where next to turn, they bethink themselves of the safe green depths, and, 
with a forward spring, a partial opening of the wings, and a little splash, 
they dive with an unexpected suddenness which suggests that a new and 
entirely unlooked for discovery in the tactics of escape has just been made. 
Though common in full summer plumage throughout the summer along 
the whole British Columbia coast and suspected to nest nearby, its breed- 
ing is still more or less of a mystery. It is yet doubtful where the great 
number that haunt the coast breed, but it is probable that their nests will 
be found eventually at considerable elevations some distance inland from 
the adjoining sea. 
21. Ancient Murrelet. la petite alque a tete grise. Synlhlihoramphm antiquus. 
L, 9-50. Adult in summer: slaty blue above; white below; head, hindneck, face, and 
sharply defined throat patch pure black (Figure 362b). A 
few small, white, lanceolate feathers forming stripe back 
from over eye and scattered through black at base of hind- 
neck, Juvenile plumage similar (Figure 362a) but black 
restricted, the throat and side of neck being conspicuously 
snowy white. None of the little white feathering in the black. 
Distinctions. The sharply defined black and white color- 
ation of the head and foreparts. Winter juveniles are quite 
similar to winter Marbled Murrelets (See Plate XXIX B) in 
size and general coloration, but the back is pure, even slate- 
grey without white stripes over the wings and the black of 
the face includes all in front of the eye, without the loral 
spot, and extends in light smokiness across the chin. The 
bill is also much shorter and proportionally deeper. 
Field Marks. In the case of the adult the intense black head contrasted with the pure 
white foreparts should be very conspicuous in life. 
Nesting. In burrows in the ground. 
Distribution. Breeds on the Pacific coast of Alaska south to Queen Charlotte Islands 
and migrates down to southern California. 
This little murrelet breeds on Forrester Island across Dixon Entrance 
from the Queen Charlottes, but has not yet been known to nest within our 
borders, although it frequents our waters in winter. 
16. Cass in's Auklet. la petite alque de cassin. Plychoramphus aleuticus. L, 
8-75. The smallest of the divers commonly occurring on the Pacific coast of Canada. 
The only other diver that is smaller is the Least Auklet which 
so far has not been detected in our waters. Above, black, 
greying on back, deepest on crown, lightening across face and 
throat to ashy grey (Figure 363) and blending into white 
underparts. Small white spots over and below the eye. 
Juveniles are similar but brownish instead of blackish and 
without the loral spot. 
Distinctions. Small size, light ashy or brownish grey 
throat, and small white spot over and below the eye. 
Field Marks. Small size and dull, obscure coloration. 
Nesting. Burrows in the ground and in some cases in 
niches and crevices in the rocks. Often in large communities. 
Distribution. Breeding from Lower California to the Aleutian Islands. North of 
California very local in distribution. The only ascertained nesting record knowm in 
British Columbia is at the north end of Queen Charlotte Islands. 
Figure 362 
Ancient Murrelet; scale, 4. 
a , Juveniles and winter; 
b , Summer. 
