278 CHONOS ARCHIPELAGO. [CHAP. xm. 



nostrils, length of foot, and even the colouring of its plumage, show 

 that this bird is a petrel : on the other hand, its short wings and 

 consequent little power of flight, its form of body and shape of tail, 

 the absence of a hind toe to its foot, its habit of diving, and its 

 choice of situation, make it at first doubtful whether its relation- 

 ship is not equally close with the auks. It would undoubtedly be 

 mistaken for an auk, when seen from a distance, either on the wing, 

 or when diving and quietly swimming about the retired channels of 

 Tierra del Fuego. 



