THE DARK-BODIED SHEARWATER. 869 



Recognition Marks. — Really Teal length but appearing Gull size by reason 

 of stout body and long wings ; dusky plumage ; rapid fliglit with alternate flap and 

 sail; follows surface of water closely: larger than either opisthoiiu-las or 

 tcuitirostris; axillars chiefly white. 



Nesting. — Xot known to breed in Washington. Single white egg laid at end 

 of burrow in earth-bank, several feet in. Av. size, 2.40x1.65 (61x41.9). 

 Season: (southern hemisphere) c. Feb. 15; (northern hemisphere)? April. 



General Range. — The Pacific Ocean, supposed to breed e.xclusively in 

 southern hemisphere and to summer in the North Pacific, but probably breeds also 

 on islands off northwest coast of America. 



Range in Washington. — Common at least in summer and early fall oii" West 

 Coast and on the Straits of Juan de Fuca. 1 



Authorities. — Kobbe, Auk, X\ II. 1900. p. 349. 



Specimens. — ( U. of W.) Prov. C. D. 



WE are all familiar with the migratiim of birds breeding in the northern 

 hemisphere; but little is known concerning the counter movements of birds 

 whose nestlings are reared under the Southern Cross. Instances of this latter 

 sort are probabl}- not common, but here is unquestionably a case in point. 

 The Dark-bodied Shearwater appears off our coasts from Alay to September, 

 the southern winter; while its breeding range, so far as known, is confined to 

 Comwallis and Chatham Islands, off the east coast of New Zealand, together 

 with other points still further south. 



Altlio Shearwaters range over the entire ocean, their favorite beats lie 

 along the ofTshore banks, where herring, squids, and surface crustaceans 

 abound. They usuall_\- move close to the water with a stiff, double, or treble, 

 flap and a sail, a motion which is admirably suited to the sinuosities of the sea ; 

 and altho one may think them a little awkward and slow-gaited, it is astonish- 

 ing how soon the}' pass from sight. 



In feeding upon floating fish or refuse. Shearwaters alight upon the water 

 with uplifted or slowly folding wings, after the fashion of gulls; but, more 

 commonly, they ])lunge beneath the .surface and use their wings, if need be. in 

 pursuing elusive fish or squids under water. 



Scattered individuals of this species ma_\' not infref|uentl_\- be seen in 

 summer about the waters of the Straits, and along shore for a certain distance 

 south of Cape Flattery. In July, 1906, I picked up a dead Shearwater, much 

 decomposed, on the beach at La Push, and from that point on remarkerl 

 several isolated birds, sighting the last one on the 26tli of that month just 

 north of Port Townsend. 



On the 24th of June, 1907, as we ]ia(!dled by cc:)mpass, in intermittent 

 fog, north of Ozette. we encountered several parties of these Sliearwaters 

 within a mile of shore. The birds were seated in the water and required the 

 assistance of their feet in launching to wing, altho they did this with great 

 celerity. W^e secured two specimens. 



