20 WATER BIRDS 
All the Fulmars may be distinguished from the gulls 
in flight by their characteristic wing motions. The 
wings of the gulls rise and fall rapidly in wide sweeps, 
and are held more or less at an angle in soaring; the 
Fulmar wing stroke is slower and apparently (though 
not really) less powerful. 
The Pacific Fulmar feeds its newly hatched young by 
regurgitation of an amber-colored ill-smelling oil. It is 
said by some authorities to eject this as a protection 
against enemies, also; certainly the odor is sufficiently 
offensive to prevent any but the most enthusiastic orni- 
thologist from meddling with its domestic affairs. 
93. BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATER. — Puffinus 
opisthomelas. 
Famity: The Fulmars and Shearwaters. 
Length : 12.00-15.00. 
Adults: Upper parts dark slate-color, merging to gray on head and neck ; 
under parts white, except lower tail-coverts, which are blackish gray. 
Downy Young: Upper parts dark ashy gray ; under parts smoky white. 
Geographical Distribution: Pacific Ocean, chiefly the southward coast of 
Lower California, north to Santa Cruz, California. 
Breeding Range: Islands of the South Pacific, north to Lower California. 
Recorps are claimed of this species as far north as 
the coast of Oregon. Little is known concerning its 
nesting habits. Mr. Anthony found adults and young 
on San Benito Islands in July, and writes that they 
nest in caves there. (‘ The Condor,” Vol. II. page 29.) 
Mr. A. W. Anthony in “The Auk,” Vol. XIII., has 
given a full description of the occurrence of these Shear- 
