BLACK PETREL. 
107. Oceanodroma melania. 7^2 inches. 
These birds are sooty black all over, lacking the white rump 
of the two or three preceding. All of the Petrels have a very 
offensive musky odor, which is always noticeable about an 
island inhabited by them. The skins and eggs of the birds 
always retain this odor. 
Nest.—Made in burrows similar to the others, but sometimes 
containing a small amount of nesting material; grass and 
roots. 
Range.—Southern California southward to Mexico. 
ASHY PETREL. 
108. Oceanodroma homocliroa. 7 inches. 
This species breeds most abundantly on the Farallone Islands, 
sooty gray in color, their plumage matching their surround¬ 
ings so closely that, unless one is looking for them, they will 
easily be overlooked. 
They sit very close when nesting, and will even allow them¬ 
selves to be removed from the nest by hand, so tame are they. 
They build in burrows or in any crevice of the rocks, laying 
their single white egg on the ground or rock without much, 
if any, lining to the nest. 
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