PROCELLARIID^. 257 



The only specimen of this species seen was shot on the 2nd of March, 

 1866, in the South Atlantic, lat. 43° 54' S., long. 9° 20' E. 



In describing this species the authors suggest that it may be the bird 

 indicated in Banks's Drawings as Nedris mimcla (cf. anted, p. 236) ; and there 

 appears to be some reason for this suggestion, though, after looking carefully 

 at the di^awing and Solander's MS. note attached to this name, I see little 

 chance, from such incomplete materials, of coming to any decision respecting 

 it. Under these circumstances I think that the name P. elegans had best be 

 adhered to for this bird — i. e. supposing it to be a species distinct from all 

 others. 



That this may ultimately prove not to be the case is suggested by the 

 fact that the single specimen yet known is a young bird that has just thrown 

 off its down, the remains of which are still visible ; moreover the white 

 edgings to the feathers of the upper plumage in this specimen are so unusual 

 in this genus that I am disposed to doubt their being characteristic of the 

 adult bird. Still, apart from this point of doubtful value, there remains the 

 clear cinereous colouring of the upper plumage, which corresponds with that 

 of no other species of Puffimis that I am acquainted with. It is thus quite 

 likely that Puffinus elegans will stand as a distinct species. 



