492 PUFFIN US MAJOR. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



Known by the white axillaries. Distributed off the Northern Atlantic Coast. DIMENSIONS. Length, 5-75; stretch, 

 13-50; wing, 5-10, tail, 2'25; bill, "60; tarsus, '80. 



DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND KGGS. 



Eggs, placed in holes of cliffs, one in number, elliptical in form, white in color, obscurely dotted with reddish on the 

 larger end. Dimensions from -75 x 1-10 to -78 x 1-12. 



HABITS. 



The small Stormy Petrel is said by Audubon and others, to occur on the Banks of New- 

 foundland and off the coast, but I have never met with it, although it is doubtlessly occa- 

 sionally found with us. This species breeds in a few localities on the islands north of Scot- 

 land, placing the eggs in holes of cliffs, and does not differ in general habits from other 

 Petrels. 



GENUS III. PUFFINUS THE SHEARWATERS. 



GEN. Cn. Bill, about as long as head and strongly curved at the tip. Tail, short and rounded. Primaries, very wide. 

 Members of this genus are rather large and usually dark in color. There are three species within our limits. 



PUFFINUS MAJOR. 



Greater Shearwater. 



Puffinus major Bon., Con. Avi. ; 1855, 203. 



DESCRIPTION. 



SP. CH. Form, robust. Size, large. COLOR. Adult. Above, dark-brown becoming lighter on occiput and margin 

 of feathers, and darker on primaries and tail. Inner webs of secondaries and beneath, white which nearly encircles neck. 

 Lower tail coverts, ashy. Iris, brown; bill and feet, yellowish. Young, similar but with white overwashed wiih sooty. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



Known by the large size and dusky color above. Occurs off the coast. DIMENSIONS. Length, 20'00; stretch, 45'00; 

 wing, 13-25; tail, 5 00; bill, 2'25; tarsus, 2'25. 



HABITS. 



The Greater Shearwaters appear to be quite common on the Banks of Newfoundland 

 and northward, especially in autumn, when they migrate southward. They have all the 

 light, graceful movements of the smaller Petrels, and swim, as well as dive, with ease. 

 They accompany the fishing vessels to feed upon the offal, and are called Hagdons by sail- 

 ors. The Greater Shearwaters breed far north. 



PUFFINUS OBSCURUS. 



Dusky Shearwater. 

 Puffinus obscurus LATH., Ind. Orn., II; 1790, 828. 



DESCRIPTION. 



SP. CH. Form, robust. Size, large. COLOR. Adult. Above, sooty-brown, becoming white beneath. Iris, brown; 

 bill, bluish, black at tip; and feet, pinkish. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



Known by the small size, blue bill, and white beneath. Occurs off the Florida Coast. DIMENSIONS. Length, 11 '00; 

 stretch, -20-50; wing, 7'8(); tail, 3'50; bill, 1'30; tarsus, 1-50. See last part of Appendix for description of other Petrels. 



DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGa 



Eggs, placed in holes of rocks, one in number, elliptical in form, pure white in color. Dimensions from J'20x 1'85 

 to 1-25x1-90. 



HABITS. 



The Sooty Shearwater occurs in the Southern Atlantic and consequently, off the coast 

 of Florida. It has similar habits to those of other Petrels, but occasionally associates with 

 Gulls, Terns, etc. It breeds on the Bahamas and Bermudas in March, placing the single- 

 egg in holes of rocks. 



