DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SUBSPECIES OF PETREL. 451 



White of upper tail coverts more restricted, and the ends 

 of coverts broadly tipped with black. Pileum darker than 

 back, lighter anteriorly. Bill broader and deeper at base 

 than that of leucorlioa. 



Wing, 155 — 171 mm.; tail feathers, 85 — 99mm.; depth 

 of fork, 23 — 35 mm. ; exposed culmen, 15.5 — 17 mm. ; tarsus, 

 22 — 26 mm.; middle toe and claw, 28 — 30 mm. 



Habitat. — Guadalupe Island, Lower California. 



Types.— Nos. 2567, 5 ad.; 2565, ? ad. Both in collec- 

 tion of Walter E. Bryant. 



UNUSUAL NESTING SITES. I. 



BY WALTER E. BRYANT. 



Kead August 1. 1887. 



One of the interesting features of the study of oology is 

 the selection of strange nesting sites made by many birds 

 when the circumstances of their environment compel a de- 

 parture from their customary habits. This is especially no- 

 ticeable in certain tree-building species, which avail them- 

 selves of low bushes and sometimes even the ground in the 

 absence of trees. 



During a recent trip to Carson, Nev. , and vicinity, I was 

 particularly impressed by the unusual and novel situation 

 which had been chosen by birds whose nesting habits were 

 well known. These had adapted themselves to various sit- 

 uations, the mention of which, together with instances 

 noted from other localities where choice rather than circum- 

 stances seemingly prompted the departures, may be inter- 

 esting. 



