Page:Condor13(6).djvu/9

 Nov., 1911 ANOTHER FORTNIGHT ON THE FARALLONF, S 177 as many )etrels as Auklets skulking under logs and planks In point of abund- ance they are easily third, possibly second on the island. It is evident that these Petrels have a lengthy season of courtship during which they spend their nights ashore, chiefly in their burrows, and return to the sea daytimes. This is followed by a "honeymoon" period of some duration, pre- sumably a week or more, in which both birds remain ashore all the time. As soon as the egg is laid incubation begins, and the other bird retires to sea to forage. Precisely what the division of labor is from this point on as between male and female remains to be determined, but it is certain that the male is often found alone upon the egg. The former name, "Ashy" Petrel, is very misleading. Its use suggests a type of coloration similar to that of the Fork-tailed (O.?>trcala), whereas the general Fig. 51. THE BANQUET TABLE VgESTERN GULLS ROBBING A MIIRRE LEDG]3 INDIAN HEAD IN THE BACKGROUND cast of color is only a little less sooty than that of kaedingi or leucorhoa. It does incline to "lumbeous", but is much nearer black than "ashy". Several friends appealed to, agree with me that it is time for a correction, and the name of the original describer, Coues, is respectfully recommended. 10. Phalacrocorax auritus albociliatus. Farallon Cormorant. The colony on Maintop, the only one remaining in the Farallones, is now reduced to about thirty-five pairs, and of this number only fifteen were succeeding in raising families this year. The story of the steady persecution to which the confiding members of this historic colony have been subjected would not make a pretty one in print The human pressure has been removed (nearly, not altogether) latterly; but the gulls are crowding it to certain extinction. The Shags are standing by their guns, and their bravery makes one long to do something on their behalf. By cautious