CALIFORNIA WATER BIRDS. 27 



other series exhibits in a large measure the two styles, the 

 posterior half of the lower parts belonging to the light 

 and the anterior to the dark. 



Fulmarus glacialis rodgersii. Rodgers's Fulmar. — 

 Typical exemplifications of this subspecies appeared to 

 be rare, if not altogether wanting. 



The light phase of glufischa in a series in the collec- 

 tion of the Academy shades into an extreme example of 

 rodgersii from San Francisco Bay having the ' mantle ' 

 pure white. 



Puffinus opisthomelas.* Black-vented Shearwater.— 

 These Petrels were very wary, usually sheering off from 

 the boat out of range. The outer birds of the larger 

 companies were apt to pass nearer than others. Their 

 flight was low, apparently never more than ten feet above 

 the surface of the water. They alternately flapped their 

 wings and sailed, the wing beats varying from five to ten. 

 Wounded birds (most of the examples secured were 

 winged) invariably showed fight when being taken into 

 the boat, one biting my hand until it bled. 



All the specimens obtained differ considerably from 

 the type of opisthomelas (No. 16,991, £ , U. S. Nat. Mus., 

 Cape S. Lucas, L. Calif., J. Xantus). Pending further 

 study, I defer comment. 



Puffinus griseus. Dark-bodied Shearwater. — A 

 male (one of the three specimens taken in December and 

 January) has the chin and throat for the space of an inch 

 and five-eighths pure white, faintly mottled, chiefly pos- 

 teriorly, with drab-gray. In a male obtained in June the 



* According to Mr. Salviu ('Ibis,' 5th ser., vol. vi, pp. 356, 357), Puffinus 

 opisthomelas should be restored as the name of the bird described by Dr. 

 Coues from the Lower Califoruian coast, Puffinus gavia (Forst.) having 

 "pure white under tail-coverts." 



