1780 THE BIRDS OF LORD HOWli; AND NORFOLK ISLANDS, 



is stated to be " rounded." This divorces it from P. chlororhyn- 

 chus Less., and suggests P. grisens Gm., wliicli is emphasised by 

 the description and iiguration of the coloration of the soft parts. 

 To clinch this argument, we liave the fact tiiat Puffinv.s griseus 

 Gm., still breeds about the typical locality. 



No. 282, Dr. Sharpe would identify with P. lennirostris Temm., 

 hut it is undoubtedly a figure of the Oestrelata still breeding on 

 Norfolk Island. Here again we have the fact that Puffiyius 

 tenuirostris Temm., does not breed on Norfolk Island, whilst 

 there is an Oestrelata agreeing well with the figure. The con- 

 flicting accounts of the early writers are now easily reconciled. 

 To Oestrelata sp., may be assigned " they have not the least fishy 

 taste, and their flesh is very fine. These birds never quit their 

 holes till sunset," given hy King; whilst Hunter's account of the 

 .method of catching Avould apply better to P. griseus Gm.: and 

 his report of their climbing habits might refer to Oestrelata sp.j 

 the size of the egg and the strong fishy taste are moi'e applicable 

 to P. griseus Gm. The time of breeding is noteworthy. Mr. 

 Hull(p.649) notes the Lord Howe Island Petrel as breeding in 

 July- August, whilst the Norfolk Island Petrel is said to breed in 

 January(North, "Nests and Eggs," p.416). As Pvffiims griseus 

 Gra., breeds at Norfolk Island in December, further investigation 

 is necessary to clear up this point. One thing is, however, 

 <;ertain, and that is that the Oestrelata that burrows on Norfolk 

 Island must bear the name Oestrelata phillipi Gray, and it is not 

 identical with Oe. neghcta Schl. Whether the Lord Howe 

 burrowing Oestrelata is identical with the Norfolk Island species, 

 I cannot say. Hunter's comparison with the puffin of England 

 refers to the Pujftnus jmffinus Linne, which was called by 

 Ed\vards(1764) "the i)uffin of the Isle of Man"; obviously, he 

 had PuffimiS griseus Gm., in his mind. In the Tab. Enc. Meth. 

 i.(p.75, 1791), under P. grisea, Bonaterre gives a translation of 

 Phillip's account of the Norfolk Island Petrel. That account 

 was probably prepared by Latham, as tliose of most of the other 

 birds were, and it is copied almost word for word in Latham's 

 (works. 



