THE BLACK-BELLIED STORM PETREL 245 



Genus Gymodroma. 

 Basal joint of the middle toe much flattened, equal to or longer 

 than the remaining joints and claws. Southern Ocean. 



The Black-bellied Storm Petrel. 



Gymodroma me la nog aster. 



Sooty black, the upper tail coverts and flanks white. Breast and 

 middle of the abdomen sooty. Bill, legs, and feet black. Length of the 

 wing, 7 in.; of the tarsus, 1.6 in. Egg — White with pink specks; length, 

 1.35 in. 



Of this species Mr. Gould says: "When viewed from the ship 

 it is at once distinguished from all the other petrels by the broad 

 black mark which passes down the centre of the abdomen, and 

 offers a strong contrast to the snowy whiteness of the flanks. 

 It is a bird of powerful flight, and pats the surface of the rising 

 weaves more frequently than any other species ; or perhaps the 

 great length of its legs renders this action more conspicuous. 

 It flutters over the glassy surface of the ocean during calms with 

 an easy butterfly-like motion of the wings, and buffeting and 

 breasting, with equal vigour, the crests of the loftiest waves of the 

 storm ; at one moment descending into their deep troughs, and at 

 the next arising with the utmost alertness to their highest points, 

 apparently from an impulse communicated as much by striking 

 the surface of the water with its webbed feet as by the action of 

 the wings. Like the other members of the family it feeds on 

 mollusca, Crustacea and any kind of fatty matter that may be 

 floating on the surface of the ocean." 



Family Puffinidae. 



Key to the Genera. 



1. Palate without laiuellffi. 2 

 Palate with lamellae on each side. 6 



2. Tarsi compressed. 3 

 Tarsi rounded. 5 



3. Both nostrils visible. Puffinus. 

 Nostrils united in a single opening. 4 



