S. E. McKee.
MARBLED MURRELET.
(Brachyramphus marmoratus.)
About ½ Life-size.
FROM COL. CHI. ACAD. SCIENCES.
THE MARBLED MURRELET.
(Brachyramphus marmoratus.)
This little bird belongs to the family of auks and puffins, the guillemots and the dovekie. It is the sea bird family (Alcidae) for all the species are maritime, spending most of their time on the ocean. Nearly all the species frequent the Pacific coast of North America. A few are, however, found on the Atlantic coast. They seem to frequent the wildest and most rocky shores and generally congregate in large colonies which may include several species. Their structure unfits them for locomotion on the land where they move in an uncouth and awkward manner, but they are agile and quick swimmers and expert divers. It is said that they will remain under water for several minutes, swimming for long distances. They use their wings in diving. The Marbled Murrelet inhabits the coast of the Pacific ocean from San Diego, California, northward, breeding only in the northern part of its range. These birds are seldom found at any great distance inland. It is said that their nests, like those of the petrels, are built in holes in banks or in burrows in the ground. They have also been known to lay their eggs in the open crevices of cliffs where but little effort is made to build a nest other than the gathering together of a few sticks and twigs.
The ovate eggs are of a buffy color and are marked with varying shades of brown.
BEFORE THE STORM.
A whir and sweep of snow-white wings,
Soft brown-flecked breasts, now here, now there
A-sway upon the ragged weeds