CAPPED PETREL. 1] 



tibiae, the tarsi, and the basal halves of the toes and inter- 

 digital membranes appear to have been dusky-yellow, the 

 rest of the feet and claws are black. Mr. Newcome tells 

 me that the specimen was a female, and when fresh killed 

 the irides were deep brown or hazel colour." 



The whole length is sixteen inches : from the carpal joint 

 to the end of the longest wing-feather rather more than 

 twelve inches. The length of the naked portion of the tibiae 

 is rather more than half an inch ; of the tarsus rather less 

 than an inch and a half ; length of the middle toe, without 

 the claw, about one inch and three-quarters. 



The bird in the British Museum, which is believed to be 

 immature, has the crown and nape blackish- brown ; the 

 sides of the forehead white, marked with brown ; hind neck, 

 fore part of the face, entire throat and underparts white ; 

 back and upper parts dull brown, the margins of the dorsal 

 feathers lighter ; quills dark brown ; tail dark brown, except 

 at the base, where it is dull white, very much rounded in 

 shape. 



An example of the Petrel familiarly known as the Cape 

 Pigeon {Daption capense), is recorded by Mr. A. G. More 

 (Ibis, 1882, p. 346) as having been shot near Dublin on the 

 30th October, 1881 ; and it is stated by Degland and Gerbe 

 that three specimens have been obtained in France. There 

 does not, however, appear to be any adequate reason for in- 

 cluding this species among the Birds of Great Britain, or 

 even of Europe. Its home is essentially the southern 

 hemisphere ; and although it is known to follow ships, for 

 the sake of food, for a considerable distance, yet it is equally 

 certain that many birds, captured with hook and line, are 

 then carried far beyond their usual area before being restored 

 to liberty. 



