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

by Charles K. Reed

Range.—Resident along the coast of southern and Lower California, where it breeds on many of the islands.

PIGEON GUILLEMOT.

29. Cepphus columba. 13 inches.

This bird is very similar to the Black Guillemot except that the under-surfaces of the wings are dark. The nearly straight and slender bill is black, feathered to the upper edge of nostrils. Feet and inside of mouth bright red.

Nest.—Their two eggs are laid on the bare rocks in dark places under the rocks, are pale blue or green in color with black or brown markings and paler spots of lilac.

Range.—Pacific coast of North America.

CALIFORNIA MURRE.

30. Uria troille californica. 15 to 16 inches.

This is one of the most abundant birds breeding on the Farallones. Large numbers of their eggs are taken yearly to the San Francisco and other market places and disposed of as a food product, and as yet the birds do not seem to diminish to any great extent.