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Dr. Finsch, to whom I submitted the skin, is of opinion that it is an immature bird ; and 

 Mr. Howard Saunders, who has made the Laridce his special study, expresses his conviction that 

 it is a new and hitherto undescribed species. I am rather disposed, however, to consider it an 

 aged female of the species known as BufFon's Skua, with the plumage much faded and worn, indi- 

 cating a sickly or exhausted condition of body. I may add that the two middle tail-feathers are 

 only partially developed, being encased in a sheath at the base. They extend only about an inch 

 beyond the rest, and are much abraded, having a peculiar filamentous appearance. 



2n 



