BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 219 



I have never taken this Shearwater in the Bahamas, but on 

 several occasions saw what I beheved to be this species while 

 cruising among the islands. 



Fig. And. Bds. N. A., Vol. VII. pi. 456. 



PUFFINUS OBSCURUS. {Gm) 

 Dusky Shearwater. 



Local Name. — Pimblico. 



Adult Male. — Above, glossy brown, shading into grayish upon 

 the sides of the. breast; below, white; crissum, brown and white; 

 tail, brown, the feathers faintly tipped with ashy; bill, lead-color. 



Length 12.50, wing 8, tail 4.25, tarsus 1.60, bill 1.30. 



The Dusky Shearwater is an abundant resident, but, from its 

 peculiar habits, is sometimes quite difficult to procure. They are 

 very shy, and remain far out at sea during the day, only returning 

 to the land after it has become too dark to be able to distinguish 

 them. All night long their mournful cries can be heard, but long 

 before dawn they are off again, and a search with the hope of finding 

 any near the shore would be useless. We often observed them in 

 large flocks when out of sight of land, seeming to be quietly resting 

 on the water, but it was a rare thing for them to allow us to approach 

 near enough to obtain a shot from the vessel. Dr. Bryant gives an 

 interesting account of this species, which I quote in full, as, unfortu- 



