| Family 1. | SKUAS and JAEGERS. | Stercorariidæ. | 4 species. |
| Family 2. | GULLS and TERNS. | Laridæ. | 37 species, 1 subspecies. |
| Family 3. | SKIMMERS. | Rynchopidæ. | 1 species. |
Skuas and Jaegers are pirates among the birds of the high seas. Bold and dashing, they pursue the swift flying Terns or much larger Gulls with equal success, forcing them to drop the fish they have captured and catching it ere it reaches the water.
Gulls (Subfamily Larinæ) are usually considered so characteristic of the sea that 'Sea Gull' is the name popularly applied to all members of the subfamily to which they belong. Several species, however, are equally at home, both in the winter and when nesting, on the larger bodies of water in the interior, and one species is rarely or never found on our sea coasts.
Gulls nest on the ground, on drifts of marsh-grass, on cliffs, and one species, at least, among American Gulls (the Herring Gull) has as a result of persecution, acquired the habit of nesting in trees.
Gulls feed from the surface of the water, picking up their food with their strongly curved bills in passing or while hovering, not by plunging into the water, as do the Terns. They are, in fact, the scavengers of the water, and perform a service of great value to mankind by devouring the bodies of various forms of aquatic animals which, in dying, come to the surface and, if cast ashore, might, in decaying, prove a source of disease.
For this reason it was especially unfortunate that the plumage of these birds became fashionable for millinery purposes, with the result that thousands of them were destroyed for their wings and breasts. In this country, however, through the efforts of the American Ornithologists' Union and the Audubon Societies, laws have been passed prohibiting the killing of these beautiful and useful birds, and wardens have been placed on their nesting grounds to protect them.
Gulls often rest in great flocks on the water, sitting high up and riding the waves buoyantly, but the Terns (Subfamily Sterninæ), after they have acquired the power of flight, are rarely seen on the water. They are lighter, more active birds than the Gulls, with longer wings and tails, and sharper, more pointed bills. They feed largely on small fish (the species called silversides being a favorite) of no value to man, which they secure by darting from the air with great speed and directness. When looking for food, Terns usually fly with the bill downward, a habit which will aid in distinguishing them from the Gulls, whose bill is carried in a line with the body.
Terns usually nest in large colonies on the beach of some isolated islet either on our sea coasts or in the interior. The nest is generally composed of a few wisps of sea-weed or grass, or the two or three eggs are not infrequently laid in a slight hollow in the sand or among the shells and pebbles.
Like the Gulls, Terns have been slaughtered in enormous numbers for millinery purposes; but in this country, at least, effective efforts are now being made to preserve them.
Skimmers nest in numbers on our Atlantic Coast from Virginia southward, laying their four eggs in a slight depression in the sand. In feeding, their mouth is held open and the longer, thin, lower mandible is dropped beneath the surface of the water, when, flying rapidly, they readily pick up food.
In young Skimmers, however, the two mandibles are of equal length and the lower mandible does not become appreciably longer than the upper one until the birds begin to fly. During the flightless period of the bird's life, the bill may be used to pick up food along the shore, but when the power of flight is acquired and with it ability to feed in the characteristic Skimmer manner, then the peculiar bill of these birds becomes fully developed.
The young of all the Gulls and Terns are born covered with down and can leave the nest a few hours after birth. The Noddy, however, is said to be several weeks in its stick nest, which, unlike other members of its group, it often builds in bushes.
The young are colored to harmonize with their usual surroundings. Young Skimmers are pale, sandy brown, of the same color as the sand in which they are hatched. Young Terns are darker, and young Laughing Gulls born in nests of reeds or meadow grasses, are the darkest of the three.
All young Gulls and Terns have the habit of squatting low near the ground in the presence of danger and remaining motionless until actually touched when they seem to realize that they have been seen and trust to their legs for safety.
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35. Skua (Megalestris skua). L. 22. Ads. Above dark, dirty brown; below paler. Yng. Similar, but more distinctly streaked with yellowish, especially on head and neck. Range.—North Atlantic, chiefly eastern; breeds from Shetland Islands northward; winters south to Gibraltar, and rarely Long Island. One specimen from California coast. 36. Pomarine Jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus). L. 20; B. 1.5. Middle tail feathers rounded. Ads. light phase. Cap black; throat, breast, and neck, all around, white tinged with straw; back, lower belly, upper and under tail coverts brownish slate. Ads. dark phase. Dark brown, paler below. Yng. Above blackish brown margined with rusty; below white margined with dusky and buffy. Notes. "A low, hoarse, chattering cry." (Nelson.) Range.—Northern hemisphere; breeds north of Lat. 70°; winters, mainly at sea, south to South America, southern Africa and Australia. 37. Parasitic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus). L. 17; B. 1.1; its scaly shield longer than distance from end of shield to tip of bill. Ads. Both phases similar in color to No. 36, but central tail feathers pointed, 8.6 long. Yng. Similar in color to No. 36 but smaller, bill shorter, middle tail feathers more pointed. Notes. "Loud wailing cries, interspersed with harsh shrieks." (Nelson.) Range.—Northern hemisphere; breeds in Arctic regions; winters mainly at sea, from California, Great Lakes, and Massachusetts south to South America. 38. Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus). L. 21; B. 1, its scaly shield shorter than the distance from its end to the tip of bill. Ads. In both phases resembling No. 36 but central tail feathers pointed and 12 in. long. Yng. Like No. 36 and No. 37, but to be distinguished by differences in bill measurements. Notes. "A hoarse qua, a shrill phĕū-phĕū-phĕū-pheo, when flying; or a rattling kr-r-r-r-, kr-r-r-r, kr-r-r, krē-krē-, krē-krē, the latter syllables shrill and querulous." (Nelson.) Range.—Northern hemisphere; breeds in Arctic regions; winters mainly at sea, south to Gibraltar and Gulf of Mexico; one California record. |
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39. Ivory Gull (Pagophila alba). L. 17. Ads. Pure white; bill yellow; feet black. Yng. Similar, but wings and tail tipped with blackish; throat dusky. Range.—Breeds in Arctic regions; winters south to Great Lakes and British Columbia; rarely to Massachusetts. 40. Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla). L. 16. Hind toe a knob. Ads. Head, neck all around, underparts, and tail white; 3 in. or less, of tips of primaries black. Yng. Tip of tail, ear-coverts, nape, and wing-coverts with black; bill black; inner web of primaries with white. Notes. A rapidly uttered 'kit-a-wake, 'kit-a-wake. Range.—North Atlantic and eastern Arctic regions; breeds in America, from Gulf of St. Lawrence to Greenland; winters south to Great Lakes, Long Island and, rarely, Virginia. 40a. Pacific Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla pollicaris). Similar to No. 40, but hind toe more developed; black tips to 3 outer primaries, 3 in. or more in length. Notes. "A shrill, harsh cry when disturbed and a low whistle when communicating with each other." (Nelson.) Range.—"North Pacific and Bering Sea; south in winter, casually to southern California." (A. O. U.) 41. Red-legged Kittiwake (Rissa brevirostris). Ads. Similar to Ad. of No. 40, but legs red, back and inner web of primaries darker; bill shorter, 1.2. Yng. Similar to No. 40, but no black on tail or wings. "Range.—Coasts and Islands of Bering Sea." (A. O. U.) 54. Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis). L. 18. Ads., summer. Rill greenish yellow, a black band across tip; ends of primaries black, a white spot near tip of outer one. Ads. Winter. Similar, but head and neck streaked with grayish. Yng. Tail grayish with a broad black band; primaries black; back brownish gray and whitish; belly white; end half of bill black. Range.—North America, coast and interior; breeds from Newfoundland, southern Minnesota, and British Columbia northward; winters from Nova Scotia and British Columbia south to Cuba and Lower California. 55. Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus). L. 17; B. 1.50 Ads., summer. Head, neck, tail, and underparts white. Two outer primaries tipped with black, their white spaces followed by black; remaining primaries tipped with white. Yng. Grayish brown; basal half of tail pearl. Notes. "A sharp querulous kwew-kwew," (Nelson.) Range.—North Pacific; breeds in Alaska and interior of northern British Columbia; winters on coast from British Columbia to southern California. |
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42. Glaucous Gull (Larus glaucus). L. 28; W. 17.1; B. 2.35. No black in plumage. Ads. Primaries white tinted with pearl; bill with red spot at end of lower mandible. Yng. Dirty white or gray, mottled with dusky and buffy, chiefly above; primaries white; outer webs brownish. Range.—Northern hemisphere; breeds in America, from Labrador northward; winters south to middle California, Great Lakes and Long Island. 42.1. Point Barrow Gull (Larus barrovianus). Similar to No. 42, but bill through angle not so deep, (.8 as compared with .9 in glaucus); primaries more distinctly tipped with white. Notes. "kû-kû-kû, kû-kû-kû, kû-lēē-ōō, kû-lēē-ōō, kû-lēē-ōō, kû-kû-kû, kû-kû-kû, the kû-kû hoarse, the rest a shrill screaming." (Nelson.) Range.—"Bering Sea and contiguous waters; northeast to Point Barrow, southwest to Japan." (A. O. U.) 43. Iceland Gull (Larus leucopterus). L. 25; W. 16; B. 1.75. Similar in color to Nos. 42 and 42.1, but smaller. Range.—Atlantic; breeds in Greenland; winters south in America to Great Lakes, and rarely, Long Island. 44. Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens). L. 27. Ads., summer. Head, tail, and underparts white; back pearl; primaries pearl, tipped with white. Ads., winter. Head and neck streaked with brownish. Yng. Brownish gray, more or less mixed with white, including wings and tail. Range.—North Pacific; breeds from British Columbia to Bering Straits; winters south to southern California. 45. Kumlien Gull (Larus kumlieni). W. 16.2; B. 1.75. Similar to No. 43, but primaries with well defined ashy gray spaces; outer primary tipped with white, with ashy gray on outer web and shaft part of inner web; second primary ashy gray on only shaft part of outer web. Range.—"North Atlantic coast of North America, breeding in Cumberland Gulf; south in winter to the coast of the Middle States." (A. O. U.) 46. Nelson Gull (Larus nelsoni). "Wing 18.25, culmen 2.35. Ads. In plumage exactly like L. kumlieni; depth of bill through angle .80; tarsus 3.05; middle toe (without claw) 2.40." (Ridgway.) Range.—"Coast of Norton Sound, Alaska." (A. O. U.) |
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47. Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus). L. 29. Ads., summer. Back and wings slaty black; wing feathers tipped with white. Ads., winter. Similar, but head and neck streaked with dusky. Yng. Back grayish brown margined with buffy white; rump whiter; primaries black; below white more or less marked with dusky. Notes. "A braying ha-ha-ha, a deep keow, keow, a short barking note, and a long-drawn groan, very loud and decidedly impressive." (Brewster.) Range.—North Atlantic and northern Europe; breeds in North America from Nova Scotia to Greenland; winters south to Great Lakes and South Carolina. 48. Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus). L. 26. Ads., summer. General appearance of No. 47; back lighter; primaries as figured. Ads., winter. Head and neck streaked. Yng. Above brown margined with buff and white; primaries brown; tail brown with little or no mottling; below brown. Range.—"North Pacific, chiefly on the Asiatic side; Herald Island, Arctic Ocean, and Alaskan coast of Bering Sea." (A. O. U.) 49. Western Gull (Larus occidentalis). L. 24. Ads., summer. Head, neck, tail, and underparts white; back slaty gray; outer primaries black, a large white spot near tip of first one. Ads., winter. Crown and hind neck streaked with brownish. Yng. Grayish brown mixed with white; wings and tail fuscous. Notes. Ooēēk, ooēēk, ooēēk; ca-ca-ca, and other calls. Range.—Pacific coast; breeds and winters from Lower California to British Columbia. 57. Heermann Gull (Larus heermanni). L. 17. Ads., summer. Bill red; head and throat white, shading into slate above and below; tail blackish, tipped with white; primaries black. Ads., winter. Head and neck streaked with grayish brown. Yng. Uniform grayish brown. Range.—Pacific coast of North America; breeds from Mazatlan, Mexico, north to Lower California; occurs regularly north to Vancouver Island; winters south to Panama. |
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51. Herring Gull (Larus argentatus). L. 24. Ads., summer. White spaces at end of outer primaries sometimes joined. Ads., winter. Similar, but head and neck, streaked with grayish. Yng. Above ashy brown, margined and marked with buffy; wings brownish black; tail the same; sometimes margined with buffy; below ashy brown, sometimes lightly barred or streaked with dusky. Notes. Cack-cack-cack; hah, hah, hah, and other notes. Range.—Northern hemisphere; breeds in America from Maine, Great Lakes, Minnesota, and British Columbia northward; winters south to Cuba and Lower California. 52. Vega Gull (Larus vegæ). Similar to No. 51, but back said to be darker; feet yellow. Range.—"Bering Sea and adjacent waters; south in winter to California and Japan." (A. O. U.) 53. California Gull (Larus californicus). L. 20. Ads. Similar to No. 54 but larger; a red spot near tip of lower mandible; white spot on outer primary, larger and nearer end. Yng. Similar to No. 54 but darker; tail nearly uniform fuscous. Range.—Western North America; breeds chiefly in interior, from Utah to Lat. 68°, 30'; winters from British Columbia to Mexico. |
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58. Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla). L. 16. Ads., summer. Head dark slate; tail white; bill with reddish. Ads., winter. Similar, but head and throat white with grayish on nape and behind eyes. Yng. Tail grayish with a broad black band; nape and back ashy brown; forehead and under parts white. Notes. A nasal cow-ow, also cuk-cuk-cuk, and a high, long-drawn laugh. Range.—Eastern North America; breeds from Texas and Florida to Maine and Nova Scotia; rare in interior; winters from South Carolina to northern South America. 59. Franklin Gull (Larus franklini). L. 15. Ads., summer. Breast with a rosy tinge; outer primaries with wide black spaces near ends, bordered at base and tip with white. Ads., winter. "Head mainly white, with [its] sides and back grayish dusky." Yng. "Top and sides of head and back grayish brown; quills dusky, tipped with white; tail with subterminal band of dusky; rest of tail, under parts, forehead, and eyelids white." (Bailey.) Range.—Interior of North America; breeds from Iowa and Minnesota northward to Great Bear Lake; winters from west Gulf States to South America. 60. Bonaparte Gull (Larus philadelphia). L. 14. Ads., summer. Outer web of outer primaries and tip black; inner web and shaft white; bill black. Ads., winter. Similar, but throat and head white, its back grayish. Yng. Tail white, tipped with black; outer primary black, inner two-thirds of inner web and space near tip white; rest of plumage much as in young of No. 58. Range.—North America; breeds in interior from Hudson Bay and Manitoba west to the Yukon; winters from British Columbia and Maine to Lower California and Gulf of Mexico. 61. Ross Gull (Rhodostethia rosea) L. 13.5. Bill small, .7; middle tail feathers longest. Ads., summer. White areas tinged with pink; a black collar. Ads., winter. No collar; a black spot before eye. Yng. Lesser coverts black, margined with whitish; tail white, central feathers tipped with black; back pearl; ear spot and space about eye dusky; crown white, washed with pearl. Range.—"Arctic regions; south in autumn and winter to Kamchatka, Point Barrow, Alaska and Disco Bay, Greenland." (A. O. U.) 62. Sabine Gull (Xema sabinii). L. 14. Tail slightly forked. Ads., summer. Head and throat slaty black, margined behind with black; bill black, tipped with yellow; outer primaries black, small tip and inner half of inner web white. Ads., winter. Similar, but head and throat white; nape region dusky. Yng. Tail white, tipped with black; crown and back ashy brown; forehead and underparts white. Notes. "A single harsh grating note." (Nelson.) Range.—Arctic regions: breeds in America from St. Michaels, Alaska and Melville Bay, Greenland, northward; winters south on Atlantic coast, rarely to New York; casually to Texas, and on Pacific coast to Peru. |
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64. Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia). L. 21. T. 6., forked 1.5. Largest of our Terns. Ads., breeding. Bill red; cap black; above pearl; below-white; primaries frosty black. After breeding, crown streaked black and white; bill more orange. Yng. Similar to last but wings and tail with blackish. Notes. A loud, harsh "kay-awk" or "key-rak." Range.—Cosmopolitan; breeds in North America, locally from Texas to Newfoundland and Great Slave Lake; winters mostly south of United States; three California winter records. 65. Royal Tern (Sterna maxima). L. 19; T. 7, forked 3.5; B. 2.5. Ads., summer. Primaries frosty black, white on inner two-thirds of inner web except at tip, where frosty; bill orange red; crown black; above pearl; below white. Ads., winter. The same, but head white with black streaks. Yng. Similar to winter ad. but wings and tail with grayish. Range.—Middle America; breeds from southern Brazil and Peru to Gulf States, Virginia, and California; wanders north to Great Lakes and Massachusetts; winters from Gulf States and California southward. 66. Elegant Tern (Sterna elegans). L. 16.5; B. 2.7. Similar to No. 65, but smaller; bill longer and more slender. Ads. Tinged with shell pink below. Range.—"Pacific coast of America from California to Chili." (A. O. U.) 67. Cabot Tern (Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida). L. 16; T. 5.5, forked 2.7. Ads., breeding. Bill black, the tip yellow; crown black; above pearl; below white; primaries much as in No. 65. After breeding, head white; nape with black streaks. Yng. Similar to last but with back and tail with blackish; tip of bill less yellow. Range.—Tropical America; breeds on east side of Mexico north along Gulf Coast to Florida, and Atlantic coast to South Carolina; wanders to Massachusetts; winters south of United States to West Indies and Central America. |
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63. Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica). L. 14.5; T. 5.5. Ads., summer. Bill thick, short, black; tail short, forked only 1.5; crown black; above pearl; below white. Ads., winter. Head white, with black patch before and behind eye. Yng. Similar, but above edged with buffy; head and neck streaked with grayish. Notes. A high, thin, somewhat reedy tee-tee-tee, sometimes suggesting a weak-voiced katydid. Range.—Cosmopolitan; breeds in North America from Mexico to Florida and north to Virginia; wanders north rarely to New Brunswick; winters from southern Texas southward. 73. Aleutian Tern (Sterna aleutica). L. 14. T. 6.7, forked 3. Ads., summer. Above and below pearl gray, browner below; throat white; crown black; forehead white; line from bill to eye black. Ads., winter. "With rather more white on forehead." (Cat. B. M.) Notes. "A thin, clear, trilling whistle." (Nelson.) Range.—Alaska from Kadiak to Bering Strait, southwest to Japan. 74. Least Tern (Sterna antillarum). L. 9; T. 3.5, forked 1.7. Ads., summer. Bill yellow, black at tip; forehead white; a black line from bill to eye; crown black; above pearl; below white. Ads., winter. Crown white; nape black; bill dark; tail shorter. Yng. Similar to last, but above with buffy or brownish. Notes. "A sharp squeak much like the cry of a very young pig following its mother." Range.—Western hemisphere; breeds locally from northern South America northward to Massachusetts, Dakota, and southern California; winters south of United States. 76. Bridled Tern (Sterna anæthetus). L. 15. Ads. Forehead and line over eye white; lores and crown black; nape whitish; back sooty gray or sooty brown; outer tail feathers white, except at tip; inner ones grayish brown. Notes. A soft qua. Range.—Tropical regions; north in Atlantic to the Bahamas; casual in Florida. |
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69. Forster Tern (Sterna forsteri). L. 15; T. 7, forked. 4. Ads., summer. Inner web of outer tail feather dusky; below pure white; bill orange, blackish at end; crown black; back pearl. Ads., winter. Crown white or grayish; a large black spot about eyes; bill black. Yng. Similar to winter ad. but above with brownish. Notes. A long drawn, deep, reedy cack and tweet-tweet-tweet-tweet. Range.—North America; breeds locally north to California, and from Texas along coast to Virginia and in interior to Manitoba; wanders to Massachusetts; winters from southern California and Texas south to Brazil. 70. Common Tern (Sterna hirundo). L. 15; T. 5.5, forked, 3.2 Ads., summer. Outer web of outer tail feather dusky; below white, washed with dusky; bill red, blackish at end; crown black; back pearl. Ads., winter. Forehead and underparts white; bill black. Yng. Similar to last, but above with brownish; tail shorter. Notes. A vibrant, purring, tearrr, and other calls. Range.—Northern hemisphere; in America, chiefly east of Plains; breeds locally on coast and in interior from Gulf States to Barren Grounds and Greenland; winters south of United States to Brazil. 71. Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisæa). L. 15.5; T. 7.2 forked 4.5. Similar to No. 70, but summer ad. with bill wholly bright red; tail longer; tarsus shorter, .6 instead of .7. Notes. Like tearr of No. 70, but shriller, ending in rising inflection, like squeal of a pig. (Brewster.) Range.—Northern hemisphere; breeds from Massachusetts north to Greenland and northwest to Aleutian Islands and Alaska; winters south to California and Virginia. 72. Roseate Tern (Sterna dougalli). L. 15.5; T. 7.5, forked, 5.2. Ads., summer. Bill black, reddish only at the base; below white tinged with shell pink; tail wholly white; crown black; back pearl. Ads., winter. Forehead with white; no pink below. Notes. A reedy cack. Range.—Temperate and tropical regions; breeds in North America on east coast only, from Florida north to Nova Scotia; rare north of Virginia; winters south of United States to Venezuela. |
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75. Sooty Tern (Sterna fuliginosa). L. 17. Ads., summer. Above blackish, forehead and underparts white; tail black, except outer feathers which are mostly white. Yng. Sooty slate; linings of wings white; scapulars, upper tail coverts, and tail feathers tipped with white. Notes. A squeaky quack, a nasal ker-wacky-wak, and other calls. Range.—"Tropical and subtropical coasts of the globe. In America from Chili to western Mexico and the Carolinas, and casually to New England." (A. O. U.) 77. Black Tern (Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis). L. 10. Ads., summer. Head and underparts black; back, wings, and tail slate. Ads., winter. Forehead, nape, and underparts white; head gray. Yng. Similar to last, but above with brownish margins. Notes. A sharp peek. Range.—Temperate and tropical America; breeds in interior from California, Kansas, and Illinois to Alaska; irregular migrant on Atlantic coast from New Brunswick southward; winters south of United States to Chili. 79. Noddy (Anous stolidus). L. 15. Ads. Crown silvery white; rest of plumage sooty brown. Yng. Similar, but all sooty brown except white line from bill to eye. Notes. A low reedy cack increasing to a hoarse, guttural k-r-r-r-r-r-r-r. Range.—"Tropical and subtropical regions; in America from Brazil and Chili north to the Gulf and South Atlantic States." (A. O. U.) 80. Black Skimmer (Rynchops nigra). L. 18. Ads. Lower mandible longer than upper; forehead, underparts, part of secondaries, and tail white; rest of plumage black. Yng. Plumage widely margined with buffy. Notes. Varied, nasal, penny-trumpet-like; also ca-you, ca-you, like a hound's voice. Range.—North America, chiefly eastern; breeds from southern New Jersey southward; wanders rarely to Nova Scotia; winters from Gulf States to northern South America. |
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| Family 1. | ALBATROSSES. | Diomedeidæ. | 4 species. |
| Family 2. | FULMARS, SHEARWATERS, and PETRELS. | Procellariidæ. | 26 species, 1 subspecies. |
The Albatrosses, of which about ten species are known, are birds of far southern seas, where they nest on isolated islands. After the young are reared, several species migrate northward and are found off our Pacific coast. The largest known species, the Wandering Albatross, which has been made famous by Coleridge's "Rime of the Ancient Mariner," measures from twelve to fourteen feet in expanse of wing, and, like other members of this family, is a tireless ocean wanderer.
In the museum of Brown University, there is a mounted Wandering Albatross, killed off the coast of Chili by Capt. Hiram Luther, December 20, 1847. When captured, a small bottle was found tied around the bird's neck, containing a slip of paper from which it was learned that the bottle had been attached to the bird December 12, 1847, by Capt. Edwards of the New Bedford Whaler, "Euphrates," when about 800 miles off the coast of New Zealand, or about 3,400 miles from the point at which, eight days later, the bird was secured.
The Fulmars, (genus Fulmarus), are northern birds and nest in immense numbers on isolated islets, somewhat like certain Gulls.
Comparatively little is known of the nesting places of our Shearwaters, but it is believed that most of them breed on the islands of the South Atlantic and South Pacific, and pass their winter, (our summer) off our coasts.
One of the Petrels, (Wilson Petrel), is known to have this habit. It has been found nesting on Kerguelen Island, in S. Lat. 49° 54', in February, and in May it appears off our coasts for the summer.
Petrels nest in holes in the ground, laying one white egg. They are never seen near their homes during the day, the bird then on the nest waiting until night to feed, when the one which has been at sea returns to assume its share of the task of incubation. Those birds are therefore both diurnal and nocturnal.
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81. Black-footed Albatross (Diomedea nigripes). L. 32. Ads. Sooty brown, lighter below; region about base of bill whitish; upper mandible broad and rounded at its base. Notes. A whining groan, uttered when contesting for food. (Turner). Range.—North Pacific; north to Lat. 52°; south at least to Lower California. 82. Short-tailed Albatross (Diomedea albatrus). L. 36. Ads. White; the head straw; tail and primaries gray brown; upper mandible broad and rounded at base. Range.—North Pacific, north to Bering Strait; south, at least, to Lower California. 82.1. Laysan Albatross (Diomedea immutabilis). L. 32. Ads. Head, neck, rump, upper tail coverts, and whole under surface white; lores next to the eye sooty black; back, wings, and end of the tail dark sooty brown; interscapular region paler; base of the tail whitish. (Cat. B. M.) Range.—Laysan Island, Pacific Ocean; casual off the coast of Lower California. 83. Yellow-nosed Albatross (Thalassogeron culminatus). L. 36. Ads. Above slate brown, grayer on head; rump white; below white; neck sometimes grayish; tail gray. Range.—"Indian and southern Pacific Oceans; casual off the coast of Oregon; accidental in the Gulf of St. Lawrence." (A. O. U.) 84. Sooty Albatross (Phœbetria fuliginosa). L. 35. Ads. Sides of lower mandible conspicuously grooved; entire plumage sooty brown, except a white eye-ring. Range.—"Oceans of southern hemisphere, north to the coast of Oregon." (A. O. U.) |
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86. Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis). L. 19; W. 13; B. 1.5. Ads. Light phase. Head, neck, and under parts white; back, wings, and tail slaty gray. Dark phase. Uniform dark slaty gray. Notes. Silent. Range.—North Atlantic, breeds from Lat. 69° northward; winters south to Lat. of Massachusetts, and rarely to Virginia. 86b. Pacific Fulmar (F. g. glupischa). Similar to No. 86, but nasal tubes light. Range.—North Pacific; breeds from Bering Sea north; winters south to Mexico. 86.1. Rodger Fulmar (Fulmarus rodgersii). Similar to light phase of No. 86, but back with white feathers; no dark phase. Range.—"Bering Sea and adjacent parts of North Pacific." (A. O. U.) 87. Slender-billed Fulmar (Priocella glacialoides). L. 18.5. Ads. Head and underparts white; back and tail pearl; primaries black, white on inner web. Range.—Southern Seas; north on Pacific coast to Washington. 94. Sooty Shearwater (Puffinus fuliginosus). L. 17. Ads. Sooty gray, lighter below. Range.—"Atlantic Ocean, breeding in the southern hemisphere; a summer visitor off our coast, from South Carolina northward." (A. O. U.) 95. Dark-bodied Shearwater (Puffinus griseus). L. 17. Ads. Above dusky black or brownish, paler below; under wing coverts white and dusky; bill black. Range.—South Pacific; north in summer on the American coast to California. 96.1. Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Puffinus cuneatus). L. 17. T. 5.4, pointed. Ads. Above brown; below white; sides of neck mottled with gray; middle tail feathers nearly 2. longer than lateral ones. (Cat. B. M.) Range.—"North Pacific Ocean, from the Hawaiian Islands north to the Bonin Group and Lower California." (A. O. U.) |
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88. Cory Shearwater (Puffinus borealis). L. 21. Ads. Above grayish brown; below, including under wing coverts and under tail coverts, white. Range.—North Atlantic; recorded only off the coast from Massachusetts to Long Island. 89. Greater Shearwater (Puffinus gravis). L. 20. Ads. Above grayish brown or blackish; tips of longer upper tail coverts white; below white; middle of belly and under tail coverts ashy gray. Range.—"Atlantic Ocean, from Cape Horn and Cape of Good Hope north to Arctic Circle." (A. O. U.) 91. Pink-footed Shearwater (Puffinus creatopus). L. 19.5. Ads. Above dusky gray or brown; below white; sides and lower belly with grayish; longer under tail coverts dusky brown; feet, flesh-color; bill yellowish. Range.—Pacific Ocean north on the American coast in summer and fall to middle California. 92. Audubon Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri). L. 12. Ads. Above black or brownish black; below white; under tail coverts sooty. Range.—Middle Atlantic; breeds in West Indies and Bahamas; wanders north to Long Island. 93. Black-vented Shearwater (Puffinus opisthomelas). L. 15. Ads. Above dusky black; below white; sides of breast grayish; under tail coverts dusky brown; bill black. Range.—"Pacific Ocean, chiefly southward; coast of Lower California north to Santa Cruz, Cal." (A. O. U.) 93.1. Townsend Shearwater (Puffinus auricularis). Similar to No. 93, but bill and feet smaller, B. 1.2; above darker, nearly black; black of head extending below eye. (Townsend.) Range.—Pacific Ocean (Clarion Island, Lower California). 96. Slender-billed Shearwater (Puffinus tenuirostris). L. 13., bill slender 1.2 Ads. "Above dark sooty slate; beneath deep sooty gray, paler on throat where sometimes inclining to whitish." (Ridgw.) Range.—North Pacific, from Japan and Kotzebue Sound south on the American coast to middle California. |
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98. Black-capped Petrel (Æstrelata hasitata). L. 15. Ads. Above sooty brown; back of neck and upper tail coverts white; base of tail white. Range.—Tropical Atlantic; irregular in United States (Florida, Virginia, New York, Kentucky, Vermont, and Ontario.) 103. Least Petrel (Halocyptena microsoma). L. 5.7. Ads. Sooty blackish brown, lighter below. Range.—"Coast of Lower California south to Panama." (A. O. U.) 105. Forked-tailed Petrel (Oceanodroma furcata). L. 8. 7. Ads. Tail forked; bluish gray, wings darker; a blackish space about eye. Range.—North Pacific; breeds in Aleutian Islands; recorded north to Bering Strait; winters south to California. 105.1. Kaeding Petrel (Oceanodroma kaedingi). W. 6. Ads. Similar to O. leucorrhoa, but much smaller with much less deeply forked tail. (Anthony.) Range.—Pacific Ocean; (Socorro Islands, Lower California.) 108. Ashy Petrel (Oceanodroma homochroa). L. 8.5. Ads. No white on rump; tail forked; sooty black above, browner below; wing coverts grayish. Range.—"Coast of California; breeds on the Santa Barbara and Farallone Islands." (A. O. U.) |
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104. Stormy Petrel; Mother Carey's Chicken (Procellaria pelagica). L. 5.5. Ads. Sooty black, browner below; upper tail coverts white, tipped with black. Range.—North Atlantic; winters south to western Africa and New Brunswick. 106. Leach Petrel; Stormy Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa). L. 8., W. 6.2. Ads. Tail forked; above sooty brownish black; below browner; lesser wing coverts grayish brown; longer upper tail coverts not tipped with black. Notes. An elfin-like crow of eight notes. Range.—North Atlantic and North Pacific; breeds from Maine to Greenland and from Farallone to Aleutian Islands; winters south to Virginia and California. 106.1. Guadalupe Petrel (Oceanodroma macrodactyla). L. 8.4; W. 6.4; T. 3.9, fork 1 in. deep. Ads. Similar to O. leucorhoa, but with much longer and more deeply forked tail, larger feet, shorter bill, and very broad dusky tips to the upper tail coverts. (Ridgw. in Cat. B. M.) Range.—Pacific Ocean; (Guadalupe Island, Lower California.) 107. Black Petrel (Oceanodroma melania.) L. 9. Ads. Sooty black, paler below; wing-coverts grayish, tail forked. Range.—South Pacific, north to Santa Barbara Islands; breeds on Coronados Islands, southern California. 108.1 Socorro Petrel (Oceanodroma socorroensis). W. 5.5. Ads. Similar to No. 108, but wings longer; tail shorter and less deeply forked; sides of rump whitish; no white on under surface of wing. (Towns.) Range.—Pacific Ocean; (Socorro Island, southern California.) 109. Wilson Petrel; Stormy Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus). L. 7. Ads. Webs of feet with yellow patch: tail not forked; longer upper tail coverts not tipped with black. Notes. A weak weet, weet, and a hoarse chattering patret-tu-cuk-cuk-tu-tu. (Wilson.) Range.—Atlantic Ocean; breeds in Southern seas, (Kerguelen Island in February), and migrates north to Newfoundland, spending summer off coast of eastern United States. |