528 



THE DIVING BIRDS — PYGOPODES. 



Sub-Sp. Char. Exactly like F. arctica, but bill much larj,'er, and general size aln<» grcalL-r. 

 Wing, 0.8(^-7.40 inches ; cuhnun, 2.(K>-2.;}(); gonys, 1.4(>-1.00 ; depth of nmxilla at base, .75-.IK), 

 of mandible, .7()-.8() ; tarsus, l.l()-l.:)j ; miiUUu toe, without claw, 1.4.'i-l.(M). 



Thid bird is appuiuutly a larger hyperborean race of F. urdica, tiince there apiMUir to be no 



/'. arctica ylacialis, summer udiiU, 



diflPerences from the latter except larger size. The material at our command is, however,- very 

 small, embracing only three examples. It may not be more worthy of .xciparation from the tme 

 F. arctica than is the very small-billed form breeding on the coast of France, which s^enis to 

 represent the opposite extreme of size. 



By most writers this is regarded as being a mere variety of the arctieus. Bona- 

 parte speaks of it in his Synopsis as not uncommon in winter on our coast. Audubon 

 only met with it once, and even then was not certain of its identity. Tliis was at 

 the outer side of Grand Menan, in the Bay of Fundy. None were seen by him in 

 Labrador. The bird whicli he figures for the ghwialis was probably corniculata. 



Professor Newton was informed by Mr. Proctor that two specimens of this Puffin 

 had been received by the latter from Iceland. Professor Newton also states that he 

 found this form of Puffin the least common of the Alcichv in the waters about Spitz- 

 bergen. Ross, however, states that it was found in considerable numbers on Walden 

 and Little Table islands ; but Dr. Malmgreu states that such was not his experience. 

 The latter, however, mentions that he saAV several near Norway and Amsterdam 

 islands, and in June some were shot in Tr'^urenberg Bay. He also found them on 

 Bear Island, but not in great numbers. He observed them several times at a consid- 

 erable distance from laud. They were most plentiful in Sassen Bay, forty miles from 

 the open sea. No mention is made of their breeding, and I have no information in 

 regard to this or cs to any of their distinctive breeding habits. Even if this bird 

 is specifically distinct from arctieus, there is every reason to suppose its habits to be 

 nearly identical with those of that and of other kindred species. 



Two eggs in the Smithsonian Museum from Greenland (Drouet) purporting to be 

 of this species are not distingiiishable from those of the arctieus, and measure, one 

 2.65 by 1.85 inches, the other 2.70 by 1.85. 



