The California Mur re 
Distribution in California. —Common resident on the ocean, usually well off 
shore. Breeds in large numbers on the Farallons; in lesser numbers south to Prince 
Islet off San Miguel, and upon the rocks of Humboldt and Del Norte counties. South 
in winter at least to Newport Beach ,Orange County (van Rossem). 
Authorities.—Newberry ( Uria troile), Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv., vol. vi., 1857, 
p. no (Farallon Islands); H. Bryant , Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., vol. viii., 1861, 
p. 142 (Catarractes californicus, orig. desc.; type locality, Farallon Islands); W. E. Bryant, 
Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., ser. 2, i., 1888, p. 31 (Farallon Ids.; breeding habits, etc.); van 
Rossem, Condor, vol. xvi., 1914, p. 144 (Newport Beach, Orange Co.; southernmost 
record station). 
THE AUK-TRIBE is an ancient race which has long occupied 
northern waters. Although circumpolar in distribution, its two centers of 
abundance lie in the North Pacific and the North Atlantic, respectively, 
with a present showing of twenty breeding species (and subspecies) for 
the former and six for the latter. This leaves three forms Alle alle, 
Cepphus mandti, and Fratercula arctica naumanni as exclusively Arctic 
breeders. And if the Atlantic should boast the former grandeur of the 
Great Auk, Plautus impennis, whom hungry sailors slew, the Pacific is 
able to point with pride to Mancalla calif or niensis Lucas, of Los Angeles, 
a Miocene Alcad of equal height and girth—and helplessness; for it, too, 
was flightless. But, indeed, who living in Los Angeles would care for 
wings? 
The name of California, viz., californica, likewise attaches to the 
Pacific representative of the Old World Murre, Uria troille. The reputa¬ 
tion of this bird has been so largely made on the Farallon Islands, that 
we are likely to forget that the species enjoys a fairly uniform distribution 
from the northernmost of the Channel Islands, viz., Prince Island, north 
to the rocks in Norton Sound, Alaska. 
As we approach one of these lesser citadels, some gaunt fastness which 
the sea birds have known for ages as home, our presence will not pass 
unnoticed. Scouting puffins, shags, and gulls will have reported us un¬ 
favorably to their waiting companions; while the Black Oyster-catcher, 
that prince of yellow journalists, will have published a lurid account of 
our misdoings, when as yet we are a hundred yards removed. Conspicuous 
among the anxious, hurrying throng which expects our approach, are 
bevies of California Murres, swifter of pace and more graceful in motion 
than either puffins or cormorants; and they go hurtling about without 
apparent object other than to maintain their share of the general excite¬ 
ment. 
The Murres, however, are easily satisfied, and will soon return to 
their ledges to await our more particular inspection. Whether we land 
from skiff, launch, or canoe, the landing will engage all our attention. For 
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