10 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. us 



Adamastor cincreus Pediunker 



We saw only two, possibly three, individuals in subantarctic waters 

 (see table 3). 



Procellaria aequinoctialis White-chinned Petrel 



White-chinned petrels were common south of the subtropical con- 

 vergence where they frequently followed our ship. Our northern- 

 most record was of a single individual at 30°50' S, 55°09' E, on Mar. 7. 

 Maximum numbers were encountered at 40°04' S, 75°00' E, on Apr. 4 

 and off the coast of Amsterdam Island on Apr. 8 (see table 3). 



Twelve specimens were obtained, primarily off the coast of Amster- 

 dam Island. The soft part colors noted were : feet black ; hides brown ; 

 bill light grey green with black markings. The ovaries of ten females 

 varied in size from 7x4tol5x8 mm; testes of two males measured 

 7x5 and 8x5 mm. Of nine stomachs examined, three contained 

 cephalopods; two contained fish; two contained both fish and cephalo- 

 pods; one contained pieces of fish and bologna, the latter presum- 

 ably from discarded galley refuse; and one was empty. 



Although I never saw this species hover like a kestrel (Watson, 

 Zusi, and Storer, 1963), it often stops short in midair and flutters to 

 the surface of the water. Then, preceding diving, the petrel sub- 

 merges its head as if looking about under water. When it finally 

 dives, the wings are held partially outstretched and may, therefore, 

 be used for underwater propulsion. 



Puffinus carneipes Pale-footed Shearwater 



This dark shearwater can usually be distinguished by its large size, 

 pale bill, and, from P. pacificus, by its short rounded tail. At a dis- 

 tance its large size and heavy flight are diagnostic. Many of the 

 shearwaters seen near the Maldive Islands and west coast of India in 

 late April (see table 4) were identified as this species as were four 

 shearwaters seen on May 21 in the Arabian Sea. At least one of the 

 birds seen near the Maldive Islands was molting its remiges. 



Puffinus pacificus Wedge-tailed Shearwater 



Only one wedge-tailed shearwater was identified positively in the 

 Arabian Sea, on May 17 at 17°29 / N (see table 5). Some of the other 

 dark petrels also may have been this species, but I was unable to 

 separate them from Bulweria fallax, which is very similar in appear- 

 ance. Several wedge-tailed shearwaters were seen as we approached 

 the Seychelles in February, and they were numerous in this region 

 in early June. It was common near Mauritius in February and 

 March, and a few were seen near Reunion. Large dark shearwaters 

 were encountered in the vicinity of the Maldive Islands in April, 



