Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

Nest.—One or two eggs are laid either in burrows or crevices of the rocks, buffy white in color, with faint markings of light brown.

Range.—Pacific coast from southern California to Alaska, breeding north of the United States.

MARBLED MURRELET.

23. Brachyramphus marmoratus. 10 inches.

Nesting habits and eggs are similar to the [Ancient Murrelet] (2.20 × 1.40) and range is same as above, possibly breeding a little farther south.

XANTHUS MURRELET.

25. Brachyramphus hypoleucus.

This bird is a dull black above, and entirely white below, including the sides of the head below the eye. The under-surface of the wing is also white.

Nest.—The single egg is laid at the end of burrows or under the rocks in dark places similar to the other Murrelets. It is a pale buffy white, and thickly but finely dotted with brown over the entire surface, heaviest on the larger end (2.05 × 1.40).