PROCELLARIA MACROPTERA. 



a half the length of the tail ; the first quill feathers the longest. Tail rounded, 

 the two centre feathers about an inch longer than the outermost one of 

 each side. 



DIMENSIONS 



Inches. Lines. 

 Length from the point of the bill to 



the tip of the tail 17 



of the bill from the gape 1 9 



of the wings when folded 13 9 



ofthetail 6 



Length of the tarsus 



of the outer toe 

 of the middle toe 

 of the inner toe... 

 of the hinder toe 



Nothing is known of the colours of the other sex. 



This is a rare bird on the Cape Seas ; therefore it is probable the favourite habitat of the 

 species is farther to the southward. While on the wing it keeps near to the surface of the water 

 like Procellaria Turtur, &c. 



When I first examined the specimen which has aftbrded the foregoing description, I was 

 disposed to regard it as an example of Procellaria grisea, Gmel., but on further examin- 

 ation, such doubts arose as led me to resolve on considering it distinct. The published 

 descriptions of most of the species of the group are so vague and deficient in diagnostic charac- 

 ters, that it will be found necessary, for the good of science, that almost all of them be uncere- 

 moniously rejected, unless the originals which supplied the descriptions should be re-described. 

 Colours are not calculated to furnish good diagnostic characters in this group ; these must be 

 drawn from the form of tlie bill, &c., and from the measurements of the different parts of the 

 bird. The following appear to be well authenticated species, and the published descriptions 

 are sufficiently precise to enable the naturalist to refer any bird which he possesses belongmg 

 to them to its proper species. 



Procellaria gigantea, Lin. 



(Bquinoctialis, Lin. 

 Capensis, Lin. 

 pvffinus et cinerea, Lin. 

 glacialis, Lin. 

 glacialoides, Smith 

 macroptera, Smith 

 Anglorum, Temm. 

 Turtur, Forst. 

 Forsteri, Smith 

 ohscura, Gmel. 



Cape, and Southern Seas. 



Do. 



Do. 



Do. 



Northern Seas. 



Cape, and Southern Seas. 



Do. 



British Seas. 



Cape, and Southern Seas. 



Do. 



Northern Seas. 



hasitata, Temm. PI. col. 416. Indian Seas. 

 Bulweri, Jardine and Selby Indian Seas. 



