364 Tar and Feathers. [zor | 
absence in so many specimens. In by far the majority, the incis- 
ors are distinctly bilobate and the lobes have well-rounded tips; 
but in some specimens the tips have become more or less worn, 
and in a few individuals this process has proceeded so far that 
the upper edges of the teeth are truncate, with scarcely a trace 
of the median notch. In the specimens examined we have 
noticed that most of those with perfectly truncate incisors have 
the latter also reduced in number. This probably indicates that 
both conditions are dependent upon age. 
The upper lips are pendulous, and are crimped into seven or 
eight perpendicular folds; and the lower lips are heavy but not — 
crimped. The color is sooty on upper surface, with the base of 
the hairs whitish. . The ventral surface is lighter. 
I give below measurements in millimeters of eleven of these 
specimens. It will be seen that they agree very closely with 
Merriam’s type of the species. 
| 
j 
| 
=} 
;|sy | % Sig. |S. |88| va leg|sqlsal 38 | sk |sg 
PeviEte ay | 23 oe ied| ta | 28 [2b | sl 28] 23 [28 lee 
(89 | g35| 28) .22| 2 Seas | Ro | Be] Be) Be) a | BS ee 
ao fg jo Ba? pe és ak} Sa 4e{ 38 Ae og ah 
4/91 | 59 |21 | 17 113 | 3 |33 | 22 |a6 [41 1493) 16 |15 [413 
3 94 | 59 183/133) 3 |34 | 22 127 |433143 64/42 
s {898 574/21 | 17 | 124) 3 | 303! 17 j24 [44 [43 | 174117 (434 
Q |89H 58 }21 | 17 114 | 3/32 | 22 125 142 |44 | 163/15 
Q |94 | 594) 21H 18 |13 | 3 |32 | 193126 |44 1443) 17 1164/44 
9 |92H ST |214).18 |123) 3 | 343) 22 [24 [43 1443) 17 1163143 
é {8941 HT | 193) 173/12 | 8 }33 | 184]241142 [424] 16 115 142 
é |934| 58820 | 1721121] 8 133 25 |4241433) 17 44 
$ |93H 59 |20 | 174/14 | 3 134 42 143 | 163/16 |44 
@ {89 | 59 | 203 17 112 | 3 1384] 18 [26 |422/44 | 16 115 143 
2 {93 } 59 1193 16 | 134) 3 134} 21 lo4alan |43 | 16 115 1498 
| 
Zoological Laboratory, Leland Stanford Junior University, Jau. | 12, 1894. 
TAR AND FEATHERS. 
BY A. W. ANTHONY. 
Anyone who has collected sea birds along the Coast of 
Southern California has doubtless noticed a peculiar soiled 
condition of many of his specimens, consisting of a sticky, black 
substance or black stain of greater or less extent, on the breast 
and sides, which is frequently of such extent as to render the 
specimens unfit for the cabinet. Loons, grebes, and fulmars 
February 21, 1894. * 
