NATURAL SCIENCES OF THILADELPHIA. 243 



Pcpfijius(Nectris) fdliginosus Strickl. — Sooty Shearwater. "Black Hagden." 



Puffinit (N'ectris) fuliginosus, Lawrence, Gen. Rep. 834. 



On the 19th of August a few individuals of this easily recognizable species 

 were seen in company with the P. major, to which in their habits they are 

 probably very similar. They are known to the sailors as " Black Hagdens." 



Stercorarios pomarinus Teram. — Pomarine Jager. " Boatswain." 



Lestris pomarinus, Aud., Birds Amer. vii. 186, pi. 451. 

 Stercorarius pomarimis, Lawrence, Gen. Rep. 838. 



But very few individuals of this species were observed. I shot one which 

 was hovering over the stern of the vessel, attracted by some floating garbage. 

 I was surprised to see that it picked up floating substances more in the manner 

 of a Petrel than of a Gull — descending slowly with the feet stretched down- 

 wards, and wings elevated, and scarcely touching tlie water. This Jager is 

 known to sailors and fishermen as the " Boatswain," a name which is also ap- 

 plied to the S. parasiticus. 



Stercorarius pakasiticos Temm. — Arctic Jager. " Boatswain." 



Lestris Rickardsonii, Aud., Birds Amer. vii. 190, pi. 452. 

 Stercorarius parasiticus, Lawrence, Gen. Rep. 839. 



I saw but a single individual of ^this species that I could identify with any 

 certainty. It may be recognized in flight by the peculiar shape of its tail, in- 

 termediate between that of S. pomarinus and cepphus in the length of the middle 

 tail feathers, which project some three inches beyond the others. The name of 

 "Boatswain " is applied to this species as well as to the preceding. All the 

 Jagers have received from the fishermen two very appropriate epithets, in allu- 

 sion to the peculiar nature of their food, which, as is well known, consists 

 principally of the partially digested fish which they force the Gulls to disgorge. 



Stercorarius cepphus (Briinn.) — Buffon's Skua, " Marlingspike." 



Lestris parasitica, Aud., Birds Amer. vii. 192, pi. 453. 

 Stercorarius cepphus, Lawrence, Gen. Rep. 840. 



Of this most beautiful and graceful of the Jagers I saw but very few indi- 

 viduals, and those only while at sea. It is easily recognized by the long slen- 

 der feathers, which project six or eight inches beyond the others. From this 

 peculiarity it has received the name of " Marlingspike " from the sailors. Its 

 flight is extremely powerful, firm, even, and performed with regular beats, 

 which propel it with great velocity. It never, I believe, sails. I had not the 

 pleasure of witnessing its attacks upon the Gulls, in which it is said to display 

 courage and intrepidity beyond all other species of the genus. 



Larus glaucus Briinn. — Glaucous Gull. " Ice-gull." 



Larus glaucus, Aud., Birds Amer. vii. IfO, pi. 449. Lawrence, Gen. Rep. 842. 

 I saw but very few " Burgomasters " that I could positively identify, on the 

 coast of Labrador, where they appear to be rather rare. They are probably 

 more abundant in higher latitudes. I was informed by an intelligent hunter, 

 who seemed to be acquainted with all the large birds, that there was a " colony " 

 of the " Ice-gulls," as they are called, on some small islands known as the 

 Herrings, about twenty-five miles off the coast, just opposite the entrance of 

 Esquimaux Bay. Unfortunately, however, I had no opportunity of verifying the 

 statement, or of observing the habits of this magnificent Gull during the breed- 

 ing season. 



1861.] 



