138 ARCTIC ZOOLOGY. 



specific distinctions, there are many species under this 

 name. As this is one of the most remarkable birds that 

 frequent the Straits during the summer months, a particular 

 description may be deemed necessary. 



1. Head, breast and belly, white; back and mngs, 

 hoary ; legs, yellowish ; bill, pale ash, yellowish at the tip ; 

 nostrils, composed of two tubes lying along the bill, and 

 lodged in one sheath. 



2. Head, whitish; neck, back, wing, and tail, darker 

 grey than the 1st ; legs and bill corresponding. 



3. Body and Avings cinereous grey. 



4. Body, wings and tail, almost brown, with a greyish 

 tint. 



The first three are properly called mallemuck, and the 

 sailors give the name of spectioneer to the fourth, to which, 

 from its singularly filthy and voracious habits, and also from 

 a view of its enormous oesophagus, Avhich extends the whole 

 length of the body, the stomach being situate near the vent, 

 the name specifically designating its qualities — gulosa, or 

 gormandizing petrel, would be more appropriate. Besides, 

 these birds are found all over the ocean, and visit the icy 

 seas only in the summer months. 



From their similarity of colour and size, they would at 



first view appear to be gulls ; and some writers even describe 



them as such, wherever they happen to be met with at sea, 



particularly in fine weather ; but this error is easily rectified, 



2 



