143 



usual breeding places are in deep holes and crevices among 

 large blocks of fallen and shattered rocks, but it will also 

 breed in crevices high up in the faces of the cliffs. On an 

 island near Grand Menan, I once found large numbers breed- 

 ing in a mass of drift wood and small stones thrown up by the 

 waves. This species, like the puffin, was relished by all of our 

 party. 



Cataractes iroile, Moeh. Murre. Breeds in large numbers along the 

 eastern and northern shores of Anticosti, but not so abundantly 

 as at the Bii'd Eocks. The eggs were placed near the top of 

 the high, overhanging cliffs, either on the shelves produced by 

 projecting strata, or in crevices. Of the murres that we shot, 

 about one-half belonged to this species, and one-half to the 

 following. 



Cataractes ringvia, Moeh. Murre. Yery abundant. Breeding with 

 the last, and in about equal numbers. We also found this 

 species breeding at Entry Island in small numbers. We did 

 not observe C. lomvia (JJria arra, Cas.), which was found 

 breeding at Bird Kock by Dr. Bryant (Proc. Bos. Soc. N. H., 

 Vol. VIII., page 75), but it is quite probable that it breeds at 

 Anticosti with the two last, as at Bird Kocks, but in less 

 numbers. 



Description of a Species of Passerella, supposed to be 

 NEW, from Anticosti. By A. E. Verrill. 



In the collection, there are two specimens of Passerella which I 

 have not been able to refer to any known species, yet it is with great 

 reluctance that I have finally been led to the belief that they belong 

 to a species hitherto undescribed, and it is with still greater hesitation 

 that I have attempted to describe it as such. I have been induced to 

 do this chiefly from a desire to call the attention of others to this 

 bird, and to avoid confounding a doubtful form with any well-known 

 species, which would surely lead to error in determining the geograph- 

 ical distribution of our birds. 



Passerella obscura (n. sp,) Size somewhat smaller than that 

 of P. iliaca. Legs and wings a little shorter in proportion. Claws 

 less elongated. Bill somewhat shorter, thicker and less acute. Color 

 above rufous brown, becoming bright rufous on the rump and exposed 

 portion of the tail, but a shade darker than in P. iliaca ; head uniform 

 brown, with a slight tinge of ash ; feathers of the back centred with 

 a streak of darker brown. Wings nearly the same color as the back, 

 with no white bands ; outer webs of the quills rufous, inner webs 

 dark brown ; secondary coverts rufous, with dark brown centres ; 

 primary coverts uniform brown. Beneath, dull white, with the throat 



