528 



THE DIVING BIRDS — PYGOPODES. 



Sub-Sp. Char. Exactly like F. ardica, but bill much larger, and general size also greater. 

 Wing, (180-7.40 inches ; culuien, 2.00-2.30; gonys, 1. 40-1. GO ; depth of maxilla at base, .75-90, 

 of mandible, .70-. 80 ; tarsus, 1.10-1.35 ; middle toe, without claw, 1.45-1.60. 



This bird is apparently a larger hyperborean race of F. ardica, since there appear to be no 



differences from the latter except larger size. The material at our command is, however, very 

 small, embracing only three examples. It may not be more worthy of separation from the true 

 F. ardica than is the very small-billed form breeding on the coast of France, which seems to 

 represent the opposite extreme of size. 



By most writers this is regarded as being a mere variety of the arcticus. Bona- 

 parte speaks of it in his Synopsis as not uncommon in winter on our coast. Audubon 

 only met with it once, and even then was not certain of its identity. This was at 

 the outer side of Grand Menan, in the Bay of Fundy. None were seen by him in 

 Labrador. The bird which he figures for the glacialis was probably cornimdata. 



Professor iSTewton was informed by Mr. Proctor that two specimens of this Puffin 

 had been received by the latter from Iceland. Professor Newton also states that he 

 found this form of Puffin the least common of the Alcidce in the waters about Spitz- 

 bergen. Ross, however, states that it was found in considerable numbers on Walden 

 and Little Table islands ; but Dr. Malmgren states that such w^as not his experience. 

 The latter, however, mentions that he saw several near Norway and Amsterdam 

 islands, and in June some were shot in Treurenberg Bay. He also found them on 

 Bear Island, but not in great numbers. He observed them several times at a consid- 

 erable distance from land. They were most plentiful in Sassen Bay, forty miles from 

 the open sea. No mention is nuide of their breeding, and I have no information in 

 regard to this or as to any of their distinctive breeding habits. Even if this bird 

 is specifically distinct from arcticus, there is every reason to suppose its habits to be 

 nearly identical with those of that and of other kindred species. 



Two eggs in the Smithsonian ]\Iuseum from Greenland (Drouet) purporting to be 

 of this species are not distinguishable from those of the arcticus, and measure, one 

 2.G5 by 1.85 inches, the other 2.70 by 1.S5. 



