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32 THE CONDOR Vol. XVlI entrance forms a conspicuous mound in many instances. In some cases the tunnels have already been cleared to some extent by the Cassin Auklet and to a less degree by the Ancient Murrelet, but the relations of these birds ap- pear to be undisturbed even when two species occupy the same home. As a general thing the opening of the nest is about the base of stumps or trees or under logs, and only rarely does it occupy open ground away from the forest. As to the burrow, it is a highly variable structure, neglecting the fact that it'is at least eight feet in length. In extreme instances it attains a length of fully twenty feet, and as indicated in the accompanying diagrams its configuration is subject to many variations. There is usually one main channel, rarely with two outlets, and from this there are one or more blind offshoots. In one of these the nest is frequently placed, but it is by no means a usual occurrence to find it close to the entrance as some of the Haldab men declare to be the case. The composition of the nest depends upon the material at hand. Where spruce trees abound the building materials are largely small twigs; where salmonberry, moss and ferns are in the vicinity these are utilized, and in either .qase are fashioned into a shallow, saucer-shaped nest. The single egg, white with obscure lavender spots, is laid in June from the 1st to the 15th. Newly hatched young'were found as early as the 27th, but the greater number hatch out during the first week in July. The period of incubation lasts about three weeks as far as can be determined from the data at hand, though it must cer- tainly be somewhat more extended when the burrow is poorly drained, and the nest a soggy mass. On August 6 several burrows were opened and found to be empty, and about the same time the fishermen reported having seen young birds, accompanied by one or both parents, some distance out at sea. The duty of incubation rests upon both parents, as individuals of either sex have been found in the burrows during the day. During this time the mate is fishing at sea, and returns shortly before dark, or more accurately about 10 r. M. The day shift now puts to sea to return in the early morning hours. The natives are unanimous in declaring that they now know of no other nesting site of the Rhinoceros Auklet in southeastern Alaska. This being the case it is evident that they frequently fly considerable distances in search of food. On rare occasions they were reported by fishermen operating upwards of a mile from shore, but in the great majority of cases they sought more open water at some distance from land, such as the channel between Forrester and Dall Islands. A marked exception to this rule may be witnessed throughout the summer on the eastern side of Dall Island in Kaigani and Tlivak straits. Here the tide sets strongly, especially in the region of the narrows of Skookum Chuck at the north end of Dall Island, and with an abundance of floating or- ganisms serving as fish food the conditions are most favorable not only for auklets but for several other water birds such as gulls, ancient and marbled murrelets, pigeon guillemots and cormorants. In order to reach this locality the Rhinoceros Auklet makes a round trip journey of at least sixty miles if it flies 'directly over Dall Island. This, however, is doubtful as flocks have been seen at nightfall coming down the straits on the east side of Dall, and, after round- ing the southern end, their course is doubtless a bee line for home. Under such circumstances it requires a completed journey of fully one hundred and t;venty miles to bring them to the feeding grounds and back again. Whatever'