Nest sites and eggs of Kittlitz's and Marbled murrelets

Fourteen known and three probable nests of Kittlitz's Murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris) and eight known and one probable nest of Marbled Murrelet (B. marmoratus) have been reported. Nests of Kittlitz's Murrelet tend to be at higher elevations and farther inland than those of Marbled Murrelet. Kittlitz's nests have much less vegetative cover than Marbled nests. Nests of both species are generally a short distance below a peak or ridge, Kittlitz's on the ground and Marbled either in a tree or on the ground. The eggs of the two species are similar in color and their mean dimensions are not separable statistically. Our findings support the idea that Kittlitz's fledglings commonly get to the sea by way of streams.