Life Histories of North American Diving Birds: Order Pygopodes

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U.S. Government Printing Office, 1919 - Birds - 245 pages

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Page iii - ... monographs of large zoological groups and other general systematic treatises (occasionally in several volumes), faunal works, reports of expeditions, and catalogues of type-specimens, special collections, etc.
Page 204 - ... uninterrupted line of them extending full half way over the bay, or to a distance of more than three miles, and so close together that thirty have fallen at one shot. This living column, on an average, might have been about six yards broad, and as many deep ; so that, allowing sixteen birds to a cubic yard, there must have been nearly four millions of birds on the wing at one time.
Page 202 - Sort, and above the Size of a Solan Goose, of a black Colour, red about the Eyes, a large white Spot under each, a long broad Bill ; it stands stately, its whole Body erected, its Wings short, flies not at all ; lays its Egg upon the bare Rock, which, if taken away, she lays no more for that Year...
Page 218 - Contributions to the natural history of the Hawaiian and Fanning islands and Lower California, made in connection with the United States North Pacific surveying expedition, 18731875.
Page 202 - Even in this state of restraint, it performed the motions of diving and swimming under water, with a rapidity that set all pursuit from a boat at defiance. A few white feathers were at this time making their appearance on the sides of its neck and throat, which increased considerably during the following week, and left no room to doubt, that, like its congeners, the blackness of the throat feathers of summer is exchanged for white, during the winter season.
Page 148 - The ground of the other egg is clay colored, or very pale stone gray, with markings of the same colors as before, but less heavy, more distinct, and smaller. There is the same aggregation of spots about the larger end, but not so fully carried out, and the rest of the surface Is more thickly and uniformly flecked than the same portion Is on the other egg. The darker egg measured 2.95 by 1.40; the other 1.95 by 1.35.
Page iii - The Proceedings, the first volume of which was issued in 1878, are intended primarily as a medium for the publication of original, and usually brief, papers based on the collections of the National Museum, presenting newly acquired facts in zoology, geology, and anthropology, including descriptions of new forms of animals, and revisions of limited groups. One or two volumes are issued annually and distributed to libraries and scientific organizations. A limited number of copies of each paper, in...
Page 173 - ... had been secured. It is the nature of this bird, as well as of most of those birds which habitually dive to take their prey, to perform all their evolutions under water with the aid of their wings ; but instead of dashing at once into the midst of the terrified group of small fry, by which only a few would be captured, it passes round and round 55916— 19— Bull.
Page 202 - The only authentic account of the occurrence of this bird on our coast that I possess was obtained from Mr Henry Havell, brother of my engraver, who, when on his passage from New York to England, hooked a Great Auk on the Banks of Newfoundland in extremely boisterous weather. On being hauled on board it was left at liberty on the deck ; it walked very awkwardly, often tumbling over, bit every one within reach of its powerful bill, and refused food of all kinds. After continuing several days on board...
Page 203 - It walked very awkwardly, often tumbling over, bit everyone within reach of Its powerful bill, and refused food of all kinds. After continuing several days on board, It was restored to its proper element. Of the voice of this extinct bird we have but scanty record. Some of the older writers speak of a croak. Dr. Fleming, as quoted by Grieve (1885), said: When fed in confinement it holds up Its head, expressing its anxiety by shaking Its head and neck and uttering a gurgling noise.

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