IN THE GULF OF OMAN. 291 



specimens; measurements of which are subjoined. They were 

 all just commencing- to change into the breeding plumage, with 

 the red feathers of the neck partially developed. 



Sex. L. W. T. Bf. Bg. Exp. 



S 7-25 4 25 2 19 81 94 13 25 



5 775 4-25 212 0'87 094 13 75 



<J 725 425 212 87 94 130 



Legs and feet lavender blue ; irides brownish black ; bill 

 blackish. 



972.— Mergus castor, Lin, 



As already recorded by Mr. Hume, (S. F., IV., 496) on 

 Captain Bishop's authority, the Merganser is not uncommon 

 along the Mekrau Coast, and in the Persian Gulf during the cold 

 Aveather, some specimens at any rate occurring as late as July. 

 I heard of its occurrence at Jashk, Charbar, and one or two 

 other stations along the Coast. 



976.— Thalassidroma wilsoni, Tern, 



I observed Wilson's Petrel on several occasions during the 

 trip along the Mekran Coast, but only secured one speci- 

 men. Captain Bishop shot another, but unfortunately it was 

 only slightly wounded, and rose again off the water and 

 escaped. They are usually met with singly or in pairs ; but 

 sometimes three or four may be seen together, and they fly 

 lazily backwards and forwards just above the surface of 

 the water, as Jerdon justly remarks, "much resembling Swifts 

 both in general appearance, colours, and flight." They were by 

 no means common anywhere along the coast, but seemed most 

 numerous between Charbar and Pusni. They are very fond 

 of hovering about anything floating in the water. In fact, the 

 two that Captain Bishop and I shot were attracted by a heap 

 of grass that was thrown overboard ; and, in company with a 

 third, they remained flying backwards and forwards over it 

 until we shot the two above mentioned. I never observed them 

 running on the waves as described in the case of the 

 Stormy Petrel (T. pelagica). My specimen corresponds 

 exactly with Morris's plate and description, (Morris's British 

 Birds, Vol. 6, p. 243,) and 1 have no doubt, when Mr. 

 Hume receives it, as it does not appear to have been hitherto 

 recorded from India, he will add the description. The pale 

 yellow patch in the centre of the webs is very striking and 

 characteristic. 



The stomach contained very minute spawn. 



[Oceanites oceanica, Banks, Forst. Draw. No. 12. — Kuhl, 

 Brit. Zool. Monog. Proc. 136, t. 10, f. 1. 



? Wilsoni, Keys et Bias. Wirb. Eur. II. 238, nee Bp. 



