CAPPED PETREL. 11 



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 tibite 

 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. 



