288 NEW-YORK FAUNA BIRDS. 



This large Puffin, or Wandering Shearwater, occurs all over the ocean, but is most 

 abundant on the banks of Newfoundland, and is occasionally captured on the coast of this 

 State. It has been observed from Mexico to Newfoundland, and is common to Europe and 

 America, Its history is incomplete. 



THE LITTLE SHEARWATER. 



PUFFINUS OBSCURTJS. 

 PLATE OXXXIV. FIG. 294. 



(CABINET OF THE LYCEUM.) 



Proceliaria obsaira. Temminck, Man. Om. Vol. 2, p. 808. 



Puffinus obscurus. Griffith, Cuv. R&gne An. Vol. 8, p. 569. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol 2, p. 371. 



P. id., Dusky Petrel. Ndttall, Man. Orn. Vol. 2, p. 336. Audubon, B. of A. Vol. 7, p. 216, pi. 458 (male>. 



Characteristics. Brown; beneath white. Wings shorter than the tail. Tarsus 1"5. 

 Length, 11 -0. 



Description. Bill slender, witli the nasal tubes distinct, 1 "2 long. Tarsus acutely com- 

 pressed, robust. Hind nail small, conical, inserted 0*3 above the lower end of the tarsus. 

 Wings curved towards their tips. Tail graduated; the outer feather being 0*8 shorter than 

 the central pair. 



Color. Uniform dusky brown above. Cheeks, eyelids, sides of the neck, and beneath 

 white : a dusky patch on the sides of the breast. Under tail-coverts and lateral rump-feathers 

 dusky ; posterior edge of the tarsus and outer toe dusky ; remaining parts yellowish. 



Length, 10-0-irO. 



This little Shearwater resembles so entirely the young of the preceding in miniature, that 

 with the exception of the dimensions and the uniform color of the back, the same description 

 would nearly apply to both. Found from the coast of Mexico northwardly to New-York. 

 Common to Europe and America. Its history incomplete. 



