30 Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society. 
discovered on one or other of the West African islands. The 
single specimen sent was obtained on Ilho de Cal, Porto 
Santo, in July 1889, and I understand two others have since 
been obtained, one on Deserta Grande in the spring of 1890, 
which is now in the collection of Father Schmitz of Funchal, 
and the other in the present year (1891), which is now in the 
possession of Mr C. J. Cossart of Funchal. Besides the 
above, the following three species have been observed off 
Madeira and the Canary Islands. 
Procellaria pelagica, the Stormy Petrel, is recorded from the 
Canaries by Bolle, and from Madeira by Vernon Harcourt. 
Oceanites oceanicus, Wilson’s Petrel, is said by Godman to 
be not uncommon off the Azores, where he thinks it may 
possibly breed. Meade Waldo observed it on Teneriffe. 
Wilson’s Petrel was found breeding in Kerguelen by the 
Transit of Venus Expedition. It frequents both the Atlantic 
and Pacific Oceans. 
Oceanites marinus, Whitefaced Petrel.—Canon Tristram 
believes he observed this species off Madeira, and Messrs 
Reid and Meade Waldo each obtained a specimen in the 
Canary Islands. The latter gentleman writes me later that 
he has obtained specimens from holes in the Canaries this 
season (1891), and thinks that it may yet be found to breed 
there. It is common on the coast of New Zealand, where it 
breeds. 
In connection with this subject, reference may be made to 
the paper in our Proceedings’ by the late Mr S. Swinburne on 
birds observed by him on voyages to the Cape of Good Hope. 
IJ. The Pearl Molluscs of the Persian Gulf. By A. 
GALLETLY, of the Edinburgh Museum of Science and 
Art. 
(Read 18th February 1891.) 
[ ABSTRACT. ] 
This communication was brought before the Society with 
the object of correcting the statement made about the pearl- 
oyster in all books giving an account of pearls, with the 
1 Vol. ix.,p. 193; 
