Petrels from the North-East Pacific Ocean. 603 



Neonectris griseus missus, subsp. n. 



Two specimens, labelled '' Kuril Island, Puffinus grisem 

 (Gmelin)," differ at siglit from the preceding in their 

 different coloration, being purer ashy throughout, lacking 

 the brown coloration so noticeable in the form above de- 

 scribed. We at first thought these might be more freshly 

 plumaged birds, but we note that the base of the bill is 

 also denuded of feathers, indicating digging and breeding 

 birds. As the difference in coloration is also accotnpanied 

 by a slight variation in the bill measurement, as given below, 

 we have to diflfereutiate the form by name. 



The under- wing coloration varies, one being more ashy, 

 the other more white, otherwise the two birds are very 

 similar in every way. They measure : — 



Culmen 44, wing 296, tail 86, tarsus 57, mid-toe 53 mm. 



(Type of the species.) 



Culmen 45, wing 301, tail 87, tarsus 57, mid-toe 55 mm. 



In this race the bill is longer than in the preceding, but it 

 is pi'oj)ortionately more slender. 



Mathews (Birds Austr. vol. ii. 1912, p. 98) wrote : — 

 " This name {chilensis Bonaparte) must be accepted at 

 the present time in preference of N. amaurosoma Cones, 

 though later this latter name may have to be used 

 for a north PaciHc breeding form, the types of Coues's 

 species having been obtained at Cape St. Lucas, Lower 

 California. I am not at all certain that the birds met with 

 in such numbers at the extremity of South America are the 

 same as those which occur off the coast of California. There 

 always seem to be discrepancies in the dates that need adjust- 

 ment, and the recent discoveries of Petrels breeding in the 

 north Pacific seem to point to many yet to be made." 



Examination of the specimens available of N. griseus 

 suggests confirmation of this statement, as Monterey birds 

 all agree in having longer bills, legs, and toes than Chilian 

 specimens. From the fact that N. griseus breeds on the 

 Pescadores Islands, it would be almost a certain guess that 

 a form breeds somewhere oft' western North America 



SEU. X. VOL. III. 2 s 



