59 



Genus Fulmarus. Fulmars. 



86. Fulmar. PR. LE FULMAR. Fulmarus glacialis. L, 19. A large bird of 

 gull-like coloration (light phase), or evenly dark, slaty grey (dark phase), and tube-en- 

 cased nostrils. 



Distinctions. One of the larger of the Lesser Tube-noses, even grey or white and grey 

 gull-like coloration. 



Field Marks. Flight habits, stiffly-held outstretched wings, and long glides, together 

 with light or grey coloration instead of dark brown as in the Shearwaters which approach 

 the Fulmars in size, should usually render this species recognizable in life. 



The Fulmar occurs in allied subspecific form on both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. 

 The Atlantic Fulmar is the type form. 



Nesting. In large communities on ledges of rocky cliffs. 



Distribution. The Fulmar is a bird of the north Atlantic, breeding in high latitudes 

 and migrating to our southern coasts. 



More often seen by sealers and whalers, the offal of whose trade 

 attracts numbers of Fulmars. They are often seen by transatlantic 

 travellers in mid-ocean or near the shores. 



Economic Status. Of no economic importance. 



Subfamily Puffininae. Shearwaters and Petrels. 



Genus Puffinus. Shearwaters. 



General Description. Tube -nosed Swimmers from 17 to 20 inches long. The nasal 

 tubes are apparent but much less pronounced than in either the Fulmar or the Petrel. 



Distinctions. The only two east Canadian species that the ordinary observer is likely 

 to meet are either very dark or seem almost crow-black from a distance. 



Field Marks. The long narrow wings held stiffly at right angles to the body and the 

 long glides of half a mile or more on fixed wings are distinctive. Their colour in browns 

 should separate them from the Fulmar which is grey but has much the same flight habits. 



Nesting. Very little is known of the nesting habits of the Shearwaters. Many of 

 them nest in the southern hemisphere, migrating north in the summer. 



Distribution. Distributed or wandering over most of the oceans of the globe. Nesting 

 localities lonely islets, mostly unknown. 



Shearwaters are wonderful fliers, breasting the storms and gales with 

 the ease and grace of swallows. They are rarely seen by the casual observer 

 except from the decks of transatlantic steamers. 



Economic Status. Gleaning from the surface of the high seas, taking 

 small fish or offal thrown from deep-sea fishing or whaling boats, their 

 economic influence is too small to be appreciable. 



89. Greater Shearwater. FR. LE GRAND PUFFIN. Puffinus gravis. L, 20. The 

 larger of our two commoner Shearwaters, lighter below with undertail-coverts ashy grey. 



Distinctions. Its light colour below should separate this from the Sooty Shearwater; 

 and its general brownness instead of greyness of back, and its variegated colour differ- 

 entiate it from the Fulmar. 



Field Marks. Flight habits as described previously, together with brown coloration 

 and white undei parts should separate this in life from either the Fulmar or the next species. 



Nesting. There is little known of the nesting habits of this species. Probably 

 breeds in the southern hemisphere on lonely islets that have not been ornithologically 

 investigated, 



Distribution. Ranges over the whole Atlantic ocean from the Arctic to cape Horn. 

 Visits Canada irregularly in summer. 



Economic Status. Of no economic importance. 



28587-^ 



