272 ORNITHOLOGY OF THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



these specimens do not indicate any very marked difference in size between the two 

 species. They may be tabulated thus : 



It will be seen that there is a distinct difference in the length of the culmen, which 

 is shorter in P. cornicoides. This may, or may not, be characteristic of the species. 

 The sexes were not determined. The primaries are damaged or being moulted in most 

 cases, so that it is impossible to compare the length of wing. In plumage, all the 

 specimens of P. cornicoides can be picked out at a glance by the very distinctly 

 lighter grey colour of the neck, back, breast, and belly (the two species in this respect 

 may be compared to the Hooded and Carrion Crows, although the contrast is not quite 

 so marked) ; the scapulars and wing coverts of P. cornicoides also have a slightly 

 greyer tinge than those of P. fuliginosa. In other respects the plumage is quite 

 identical in the two species. The bills in the dried specimens are similar in size 

 and form, but the groove on the mandible is dull yellow va. fuliginosa, greyish black 

 in cornicoides. 



Diomedea melanophrys was first logged on April 8th, in 52 30' S., and again the 

 next day, and later, on the 12th, 15th to 17th, 19th, and around Gough Island on 

 April 21st and 23rd. 



The Scotia's collection includes four skins of D. melanopJirys : 



(a) No. 275 (obtained in April on the voyage north to Gough Island). Bill 



entirely orange-yellow. Phase 1. 



(b) No. 292, April 30th, 1904 (probably killed April 29th, 40 S., 2 30' K). 



Bill orange-yellow, tip dusky brown ; head white. Phase 3. 

 (c), (d) The labels have been detached ; on April 27th, 1904, " two Mollies with 

 horn-coloured bills" shot, may refer to these, (c) Bill pale yellow, tip 

 greyish yellow ; head white. Phase 2 or 3. (d) Bill pale yellow, ridge of 

 hook brownish ; head white. Phase 2 or 3. 



Dr B. A. Wilson * gives the following table of what he came to the conclusion were 

 various plumage-stages of D. melanophrys : 



Phase 1. White head and neck, orange-yellow bill, deep orange tip. 



2. ,, ,, lemon-yellow ,, ,, 



3. ,, ,, ,, ,, dusky-brownish tip. 



4. ,, ,, dull yellow bill, blackish tip. 



5. Grey head and neck, dusky brownish bill, darker tip. 



* (Uritixh) Natioiinl Antm-i'in- K.I- /'edition: Natural History, vol. "., 1907, jip. 111-113. 



