216 Contributions from the Charleston Museum. 



If the birds Audubon saw were really Puffins it is the most 

 southern record for the species and the only one for either South 

 Carolina or Georgia, the Savannah River being the boundary be- 

 tween these two states. This record, however, is extremely 

 doubtful and unsatisfactory, as the Puffin is rare in winter as far 

 south as New Jersey. 



4. Larus marinus Linn. Great Black-backed Gull. 



The only direct statement I can find of the occurrence of this 

 gull in the State is by Dr. Coues,^ who says, "coast in winter." 

 Dr. Coues' statement was evidently based on Audubon's 

 statement as follows:^ 



The farthest limits of the winter migrations of the young, so far as I have ob- 

 Berved, are the middle portions of the eastern coast-of the Floridas. 



During the past twenty-five years I have failed to observe a 

 specimen in winter, or at any other season, on this coast. Audu- 

 bon must have been mistaken in his identification, for the Great 

 Black-backed Gull is very rare in winter along the northern coast 

 of North Carolina and no specimens appear to have been taken 

 there, but simply seen. 



In North America this fine species breeds abundantly in New- 

 foundland and Labrador. 



5. Sterna fuscata Linn. Sooty Tern. 



6. Anous stolidus (Linn.). Noddy Tern. 



In the A. 0. U. Check-List for 1895 both of the above terns are 

 accredited to South Carolina, but the authority for the citations 

 is not given. It appears that neither Bachman nor Audubon 

 ever observed these birds on this coast, and I have yet to see 

 either of them. 



The breeding range of these terns is similar, and in North 

 America multitudes annually visit the Tortugas for the purpose 

 of reproduction. 



7. Oceanodroma leucorhoa (Vieill.). Leach's Petrel. 



It is with some doubt that I include this species as occurring on 

 our coast, but it appears to be well-known to the Charleston 

 pilots, who state that it is often seen during the winter months. 



^Proc. Boat. Soc. Nat. Hist.. 18G8, 126. 2 Birds of America, VIL 173. 



