1 06 ZOOLOGY. 



the coast extends its range to the mouth of the Columbia and above. It is abundant at the 

 Farallones, where it breeds, and we saw what I supposed to be the same species, but apparently- 

 smaller and the colors all brighter, clown the coast to Acapulco and below, following the steamer 

 in numbers especially large off the island of San Marguerita, being there accompanied by the 

 ring-billed gull (L. zonorhyncus?) and the short-tailed albatross (D. brachyurus.) 



DKOMEDEA NIGRIPES. 



Black-Footed Albatross. 



This albatross, of which I obtained a young specimen, agreeing in every respect with 

 Audubon's description of D. nigripes, is abundant along the entire Pacific coast, from the 

 mouth of the Columbia to Cape St. Lucas. How far to the north it ranges I am unable to say, 

 but it is found, at least, as far up the coast as the Russian possessions. It may also descend 

 lower than the entrance of the Gulf of California, but in going up the coast we first noticed 

 them at about that latitude, and, coming down, we had more or fewer of these birds in sight 

 all the way from Astoria to San Francisco, and subsequently from San Francisco southward, 

 till we passed Cape St. Lucas, when they gradually left us, and we saw them no more. A 

 marked change in the temperature takes place in passing this point, usually requiring a change 

 in the clothing of the passengers on the steamers, so that it is probable this is the natural 

 southern limit of the range of this species in that sea. 



TACHTPETES AQUILUS. 



The Frigate Pelican. 



These birds are quite common off the coast of California. While on the steamer we frequently 

 saw them floating about, high in the air, their wings entirely motionless and seeming as though 

 sustained by their own specific gravity. If, however, the busy throng of gulls, so carefully 

 sweeping the sea for fish or carcass far below, were called together by the discovery of anything 

 of that kind, as swift as an arrow from a bow the frigate pelican would shoot down into 

 their midst to share the spoil. 



I had no opportunity of testing the stories told of the piratical attacks of this bird upon the 

 defenceless gulls, as 1 never saw one descend near the ship. 



PHAETON AETHEREUS?? 



The Tropic Bird. 



The tropic bird is not uncommon from lower California to Panama. Its pure white color, 

 its fluttering flight, like that of a butterfly, and its long, streamer-like tail feathers will serve 

 to point it out to the traveller. 



CARBO PENECILLATUS. 

 Green Cormorant. 



Of this splendid species a fine specimen was presented to us by Dr. Ayres, of San Francisco 

 He obtained it at the Farallone islands, from which he returned on the day of our arrival in 

 the city. 



We did not find it anywhere along the coast, (though doubtless it visits the shore,) and it is 



