Order ANSEBES.] [Fam. PEOCELLAEIID^E. > 



PUFFINUS TEISTIS. 



(SOMBRE SHEARWATER.) 



Procellaria tristis, Forster, Descr. An. p. 205 (1844). 

 Puffinus tristis, Gray, Ibis, 1862, p. 244. 

 Nectris amaurosoma, Coues, Pr. Philad. Acad. 1864, p. 124. 

 Puffinus amaurosoma, Gray, Hand-1. of B. iii. p. 102 (1871). 



Ad. similis P. brevlcaudo, sed major et obscurior, plumis corporis superioris sordide brunneo marginatis : subtus 

 interdum pallidior : rostro cinerascenti-nigro, culmine flavicanti-brunneo : pedibus dilute cyanescen- 

 tibus, palmis pallide brunneis : iride nigra. 



Adult. Entire plumage blackish grey, tbe feathers of the upper parts narrowly margined with dull brown ; 

 in some specimens lighter grey on the throat and underparts of the body. Irides black; bill dull 

 greyish black, inclining to yellowish-brown on the ridge ; tarsi and toes pale blue, the webs pale brown. 

 Total length 15 inches ; wing, from flexure, 1T5 ; tail 35 ; bill, along the ridge T75, along the edge of 

 lower mandible 2"1 ; tarsus 2; middle toe and claw 2 - 3. 



This bird, of which there are two specimens in the Canterbury Museum, resembles Puffinus brevi- 

 caudus, but is appreciably larger, as will be seen on referring to their respective measurements. 

 I believe Captain Hutton is right in his identification of this species as the true P. tristis of 

 Forster's description, the type of which is in the British Museum. 



It is said to be extremely abundant at Stewart's Island and on the adjacent coast of New 

 Zealand. The egg is described as white, stained with reddish brown, and measuring 3 - 25 inches 

 in length by 2 in breadth. 



