of a Voyage round the World . 47 



This Gull was abundant in the Straits of Magellan and 

 Smythe's Channel. The males appeared to have larger bills 

 than the females. 



11. Megalestris chilensis (Saunders). 

 Megalestris chilensis Saunders, Cat. B. xxv. p. 318. 



? . Port Dixon. 



? . Gray's Harbour. 



This fine Skua was not uncommon in the Straits of 

 Magellan and Smythc's Channel. Several times four or 

 five birds followed us into our anchorage. They were 

 very wary, and I found that the best way to procure them 

 \\ as to tie a dead Cormorant to a long string and let it drift 

 away from the ship. A Skua would soon discover it and 

 come down to tear it to pieces ; when thus engaged it 

 might be approached without difficulty. 



12. Pelecaxoides urixatrix (Gm.). 

 Pelecanoides urinatrix Salvin, Cat. B. xxv. p. 437. 



Two males. Feb. 7th, Moliucux Souud. Iris black ; 

 bill black ; tarsi and toes blue-grey, with black line down 

 back of tarsus, webs black. 



I first saw these curious little Petrels the day before we 

 reached the Straits of Magellan. I watched them all the 

 afternoon rising under our bows, flying for a short distance 

 with a feeble fluttering flight, and then diving again suddenly 

 into the water. They were abundant all through the 

 Straits and Smythe's Channel, but were not easy to shoot, 

 as they dived at the flash of the gun. The stomach of 

 this species is very large and soft, and is apparently little 

 more than an enlargement of the proventriculus, having no 

 visible muscular system : those examined were filled with 

 fishes. 



13. Phalacrocorax vigua (Vieill.). 

 Phalacrocorax vigua Grant, Cat. B. xxvi. p. 378. 



Two males. Gray's Harbour, Feb. 10th. Iris green ; 

 bill blackish above, light brown below; tarsi and feet black. 



I saw a Cormorant of this species flying high overhead in 

 Port Eden, but did not meet with others until just before we 



