24 



ORNITHOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS. 



January 3, 1883 (No. 92985). In 1833 they approached land during the 

 first week of May. 



During the voyage from San Francisco to the Commander Islands in 

 the beginning of ^lay, 1882, these birds were frequently observed on 

 the ocean on both sides of the Aleutian chain, but out of sight of land. 

 They would swim close to the steamer's side, so near as even to touch it 

 and to be turned around when striking the vessel; when it had passed 

 them about a little more than half its length they would suddenly dive, 

 coming up again away behind us; then they would take to the wing and 

 drop just a little to the right or the left of our bow, repeating this ma- 

 neuver over and over again. 



List of specimens collected. 



No. 92985. — Iris blaclsish brown. Bill light grayish white with a faint bluish tinge, darter grayish at 

 base; culnien and tip of gony-s blackish; interior of mouth, faint bluish white. Feet light grayish 

 white with a tinge of violet blue ; outer aspect of tarsus more bluish ; joints and webs dark bluish 

 gray; tarsus and toes underneath blackish. Testes very .siuall. Stomach contained Gammarids. (Colors 

 noted within the first thirty minutes after the bird was killed ; they changed materially — to a bluish 

 crimson on the bill — not many hours after). 



No. 92980. — Iris aark brown. Bill whitish with a light tinge of violet gray ; culmen, except the ex 

 treme tip and base of both mandibles, blackish brown. Feet similarly colored; joints daiker violet 

 gray; webs and underside blackish. 



When I got the specimen in winter plumage I had also at hand fresh 

 specimens of Simorliynclms pygmcvus and imsillits. The similarity in 

 the bill struck me, and I thought it desirable to institute a comparison 

 while the birds were still in the iiesh. The following remarks are an 

 abstract of the original notes : 



With the exception of the brownish, almost blackish, iris, and the scu- 

 tellation in front of the tarsus, the Syntldiboramphus seems to be nearer 

 related to the Phaleridecc than to the UrUncc. The nostrils are essen- 

 tially as in the former group, particularly S. pygmceus and pusillus, ante- 

 riorly forming an acute angle while rounded behind; but being a little 

 shorter they present a somewhat triangular or rather pear-shaped 



