CEUISE OF STEAMER CORVVIjSf 11^ THE ARCTIC OCEAN. 113 



the Slender-billed species, although it was impossible to identify them positively, since no 

 specimens were secured. 



As we approached Ounalaska in September, large numbers of dark-plumaged Fulmars were 

 also seen in company with the common species [rodgersi], but then, as before, it was impossible to 

 secure specimens. The intensity of the dark coloring in many of these specimens seemed to 

 preclude the idea of their being referable to Rodger's Fulmar, and it is to be hoped that any 

 naturalist visiting the Territory hereafter may pay especial attention to securing some of these 

 birds, and thus settle the point; for if these dark-colored birds were the slender-billed species 

 it must be a very common bird, notwithstanding its having escaped the notice of every naturalist 

 who has visited the Territory, within the last ten or fifteen years. 



CYMOCHOREA LEUCORRHOA (Vieill.) Coues. 



(167.) Leache's Peteel. 



These birds are very numerous in the vicinity of the Aleutian Islands, but are soon lost sight 

 of when these islands are left in passing to the north. South from these islands they occur over 

 the entire Pacific, from the Aleutian chain to San Francisco. They are yet unknown, even north 

 to the fur-seal islands, although they undoubtedly reach that group occasionally. 



CYMOCHOREA MELiENA (Bp.) Coues. 



(168.) The Black Petrel. ? 



As we left the Aleutian Islands on our way to San Francisco in October, and thence on for 

 several hundred miles, a large Black Petrel was repeatedly seen. The size of this bird would 

 indicate that it was the species mentioned above, although no specimens were secured. It was 

 repeatedly seen in company with Leache's Petrel and the Forked-tailed species, and excellent 

 opportunities were aflbrded forjudging of its relative size. 



OCEANODROMA FURCATA (Gmel.) Bp. 



(169.) Forked-tailed Petrel. 



This elegant Petrel is found over all Bering Sea, reaching Saint Michael's, and about the 

 head of Norton's Sound, as well as Bering Strait. It was found nesting on some islets in the 

 middle of Uuiraak Pass, near Ounalaska, by Mr. Dall, and is numerous along the entire Aleutian 

 chain. To the north the bird is less and less abundant the farther one goes, and perhaps never 

 penetrates to the Arctic side of Bering Strait. Several specimens were secured in the vicinity of 

 Saint Michael's during my residence there, and they are well known to the natives, who find them 

 while they are seal hunting, far off shore, the birds rarely coming close to the coast. These are 

 among the most beautiful of the Petrels. The delicate shade of the entire plumage and the bird's 

 graceful motions are marked even among this group of birds, proverbial for their grace and 

 elegance upon the wing. 



FREGETTA GRALLARIA (Vieill.) Bp. 



(170.) White-bellied Petrel. 



From the time we left the Aleutian Islands in October, until we were eight or nine hundred 

 miles distant to the south, scarcely a day passed but a Petrel with the belly white, and answering 

 closely in all its markings to the description given of this bird, was seen circling about. They 

 were frequently quite close to the vessel, and were carefully examined with glasses, and the 

 peculiar markings were such as to distinguish them from the other Petrels almost as far as they 

 could be seen. TLey were in company with other Petrels and appeared less numerous than any 

 of the other species. 



H. Ex. 105 15 



