Range.—From northern United States to Lower California. A single white egg is laid (2.00 × 1.30).
TOWNSEND SHEARWATER. 93.1. Puffinus auricularis. 14 inches.
A more southern species; occurs occasionally on the lower California coast and islands.
DARK-BODIED SHEARWATER. 95. Puffinus griseus. 17 inches.
This is a southern species which, after nesting on the islands in the far south during our winter months, comes north and appears off the Pacific coast of the United States during our summer months, as far north as Alaska. They are a dark sooty gray, except for the under-coverts, which are whitish.
Nest.—Habits are the same as the others of the family. The single white egg is laid at the end of the burrows or in crevices under rocks (2.40 × 1.65).
SLENDER-BILLED SHEARWATER. 96. Puffinus tenuirostris. 14 inches.
This is much smaller than the preceding, otherwise resembling it in color and markings, being a little lighter under the throat, and the bill more slender in proportion to the size of the bird. Bill and feet nearly black, as is also the one above.
Nest.—Nesting habits and range of the bird are the same as the Dark-bodied Shearwater; it is not found on the N. A. coast as commonly as the other.
FISHER PETREL. 100. Æstrelata fisheri. 7 inches.
This is a handsome bird known only from the type specimen taken off Kadiak Island, Alaska, by Mr. Fisher.
LEAST PETREL. 103. Halocyptena microsoma. 5½ inches.
This is the smallest of the family. Their plumage is entirely dark sooty.
Nest.—They have been found breeding on the islands of Lower California, and they probably do on others farther south. The single egg of this bird is white with a wreath of tiny brown specks about the larger end.
FORK-TAILED PETREL. 105. Oceanodroma furcata. 8 inches.
These birds have a plumage of bluish gray, the wings being darker and the under parts lightest.
Nest.—Single egg is laid at the end of a burrow on the ground. Egg white with a fine wreath of purplish black specks about the larger end. Found breeding on the islands of Alaska.
KAEDING PETREL. 105.2. Oceanodroma kaedingi. 7½ inches.
This bird is similar to the following, but a trifle smaller and the tail less deeply forked. Its range is from northern California to Mexico, breeding in the southern part of its range.