GIGANTIC FULMAR. 3^1 



toes long, slender, scutellate above, connected by striated entire webs ; 

 the fourth toe slightly shorter than the third, including the claws, but 

 otherwise longer ; the second toe not much shorter. Claws moderate, 

 arched, compressed, rather acute, that of the third toe with an inner 

 thin edge. 



Plumage full, close, elastic ; on the back and wings the feathers 

 rather distinct. Wings very long, narrow ; primary quills broad, taper- 

 ing to an obtuse point, the first longest, the rest rapidly graduated ; 

 secondary quills broad and roimded. Tail short, much rounded, of six- 

 teen broad, rounded feathers, of which the lateral are an inch and a 

 half shorter than the middle. 



Bill and feet yellow. The general colour of the plumage is a deep 

 dingy grey or blackish-grey, of a tint similar to that of the young of 

 Procellaria glacialis and P. pacifica, but much deeper. It is consider- 

 ably lighter on the lower parts, and especially on the lower surface of 

 the wings. 



Length to end of tail 36 inches ; bill along the ridge 4, along the 

 edge of lower mandible 3^ ; length of nasal case \\% ; wing from flexure 

 li| ; tail 7^ ; tarsus 3^ ; first toe ^^, its claw ^^ ; second toe 3i, its 

 claw {'ri, third toe 4^2, its claw {^ ; fourth toe ^, its claw i%. 



PACIFIC FULMAR. 



Procellaria pacifica. 



Three skins transmitted to me by Mr Townsend appear to belong 

 to two species of the Fulmar genus, distinct from that of the Atlantic 

 seas. The first of these species may be named as above. An adult 

 individual resembles the common Procellaria glacialis in form, propor- 

 tions, and colour, but differs in having the bill much smaller, more com- 

 pressed, with the angle of the lower mandible narrower, and the tips of 

 both very much inferior in strength. It is about the same size as the 

 species just mentioned, and shews no remarkable difference in the wings 

 or tail. Besides being more compressed, its bill presents a character, 

 which, if universal, is perfectly distinctive : the upper outline of the 



