868 THE DARK-BODIED SHEARWATER. 
able to discern the paths ordained by their fellows. Mr. Anthony says*: “None 
of our Pacific Coast seabirds adhere so closely to established fly lines as do the 
three species of Puffinus; even when flying fifty or more miles from land the 
flock that passes will, with almost absolute certainty, mark the line which the 
next will follow, even tho they be an hour behind. * * * A flock will, on 
encountering a skiff directly in their path, either divide and pass on either 
side or all swerve slightly to one side, immediately resuming their line of 
travel in either case.” 
Another peculiarity, observed by Mr. Anthony and Mr. Chase Littlejohn, 
is their habit of circling, whether singly or in flock. The circles are often so 
large that one does not suspect that the passing birds are moving in other 
than a straight line, but if one continues out to sea he will presently encounter 
a stream of birds moving in the opposite direction, the further limit of the 
mystic circle. 
The Black-vented Shearwater nests early in spring upon Guadalupe 
Island, off the coast of Lower California; and also upon the islands of the 
Santa Barbara group. Its notes at this season are described as being “a 
series of gasping, wheezy cries, resembling somewhat the escape of steam 
thru a partly clogged pipe, uttered in a slightly varied key and repeated from 
four or five to ten times.” 
) 
Being thus confined at the breeding season to the coast of the Californias, 
the Shearwaters are at other seasons widely distributed, at least to northward, 
and doubtless visit our shores in considerable numbers. 
Rev. H. C. Mason, of Seattle, has detailed to me the appearance of vast 
numbers of sea-fowl, called locally “whale-birds,” “tens of thousands of 
them,”’ moving south close in-shore near Leadbetter Point, in August, 1905; 
and I am inclined to think that they were of this or the succeeding species. 
No. 351. 
DARK-BODIED SHEARWATER. 
A. O. U. No. 95. Puffinus griseus (Gmel.). 
Description.— Adults; General plumage sooty black, lightening (sooty gray) 
below, lightest, sometimes nearly white, on chin; lining of wings white with some 
dusky marbling; bill comparatively large and stout, black; tarsus black outside, 
and outer toe black on the outer side; tarsus inside, the inner toe, and the outer 
toe above on the inside, yellow; the webbing black. Length about 16.00 (40.6); 
wing 11.00-12.00 (270.4-304.8) ; tail 4.25 (108); bill 1.55-1.70 (39.4-43-2), depth 
at base .45-.55 (11.4-14); tarsus 2.00 (50.8). 
a. Auk, Vol. XIII, July, 1806, pp. 226, 227 
