34 SOOTY SHEARWATER. 



that of major bcmg seldom, if ever, as Ion., and only about M) in dcpth^ The size of borealia is larger; the 

 vin. equalling or exceeding 14.00 m length, ^^■hile in major, it seldom .fever exceeds lo. 50, and is usua y 

 shorter than this The feet of the two species are about the same size, but those of boreahs are decidedly 

 li.rhter in color In -eneral col.)ration, borealis is much more ashy above, especially anteriorly, the feathers 

 of the head and upper part of the back, being so light as to present a strong contrast with the wmgs. lu 

 perfectly adult specimens of major, the lower neck behind and upper back are nearly as ashy as m borealis, 

 but lower d"wn on the back, this color is confined to the edges of the feathers, producing a scaley appear- 

 ance in marked contrast with the dark brown of the central portion of each feather, but in borealis, the color 

 is uniform ashy. The under parts of borealis, even the under wmg and tail c.jvcrts and axillaries, except- 

 mo- a slight asiiy tinge on the former, sides of the former, and on the shafts of the feathers of the latter, are 

 pure silky white, whereas major is marked with dusky in a central line along the abdomen, in spots on the 

 axillaries, on the wing coverts beneath, along the sides, especially anteriorly, and on the central portion of 

 the under tail coverts. One of the most noticable differences, however, between the two species may be seen 

 in the ashy markings of the sides of the head and neck. This in borealis extends down on the lower jaw for 

 some distance, thence in a nearly straight line to a point just back of where the bend of the wingteuches the 

 body. There is no distinct line of demarkation between the ashy and the white, but both colors gradually 

 blend together. In major the dark color of the upper part of the head does not encroach on the lower jaw but 

 ends in an abrupt line about .41) below the eye. From thence it extends backwards in a straight line to the 

 back of the head, beyond which the white of the lower part of the neck encroaches in a triangular patch on 

 either side. These patches nearly meet behind the neck in young birds, but in adult specimens this dusky 

 area between is wider. The dark line of demarkation beyond this triangular patch down to the sides, is not 

 as well defined as above, but still does not intergrade with the white as completely as in borealis. The patch 

 in front of the eye and around it, is decidedly dusky, in quite strong contrast with the ashy of the sides of 

 the head. Thus it will be seen that Cory's Shearwater is quite distinct from the Greater Shearwater; its 

 nearest ally is, however, P. kuhlii, an Old World species, but borealis is paler than this. 



HABITS. 

 This fine Shearwater was first discovered by Mr. Charles B. Cory off the coast of 

 Chatham Mass., in the autumn of 1880, and it has been found in other years since that 

 time, but always in the fall or late summer, sometimes in considerable numbers, as in the 

 autumn of 1886, when a great many were taken by the United States Fish Commission. 

 As far as observed, during its short stay on our coast, Cory's Shearwater does not appear 

 to differ in a;eneral habit from the Greater, with which it associates. Where this Shear- 

 water spends the greater portion of the year and where it breeds remains unknown. 



PUFFINUS STRICKLANDI. 

 Sooty Shearwater. 



Pdffinus STRICKLANDI RiiKnvAY, Water Birds N. A., II, 1884; 300. 



Plate II, 1, head of adult taken at Chatham, Mass. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Sp. Ch. Form, robust. The size is large. The general proiiortions are about the same as those of 

 P. major. 



Color. Adult. Dark souty brown throughout, becoming blackish on the wing.s and tail, jialer and 

 grayish below, usually with some whitish on the under wings coverts. Bill, dark brown. Feet, dark brown 

 outwardly, paler inwardly. Iris, brown. 



DIMENSIONS. 

 Length, 48 00 to 49-00; stretch, 40-00 to 42-00; wmg, 12-00 to 12-7.5: tail, 4-00 to 4-50- bill, 2-00 to 2-25 

 tarsus, 2-35 to 2-40. 



