Order ANSERES.] [Fam. PROCELLARIID.E. 



PUFFINFS GAVIUS. 



(FORSTER'S SHEARWATER.) 



Procellaria gavia, Forst. Descr. Anim. p. 148 (1844). 



Puffinm opisthomelas, Coues, Pr. Philad. Acad. 1864, p. 139. 



JEstrelata gavia, Coues, Pr. Philad. Acad. 1866, p. 154. 



Puffinm assimilis, Hutton, Trans. N.-Z. Instit. vol. i. p. 161 (1868, nee Gould). 



Ad. supra nitide bruimescenti-niger : facie laterali et corpore subtus toto albis : rostro sordide plumbeo, inan- 

 dibula pallidiore : pedibus flavicanti-albis, extus nigro limbatis : iride nigra. 



Adult. Crown of the head, nape, and all the upper surface, including the wings and tail, glossy brownish 

 black ; sides of the face, throat, fore neck, and all the under surface white. Irides brownish black; bill 

 dark grey, lighter on the under mandible ; tarsi and toes flesh- white, inclining to yellow, and stained 

 with black on their outer edges. Total length 14 inches ; extent of wings 275 ; wing, from flexure, 8'5 ; 

 tail 3 ; bill, along the ridge l - 4, along the edge of lower mandible T75 ; tarsus To ; middle toe and 

 claw 2. 



This species of Petrel, which enjoys a wide oceanic range, is comparatively common in the seas 

 surrounding New Zealand ; and after stormy weather it is frequently picked up, either dead or 

 in an exhausted state, among the sea-drift on the open strand. I have in this maimer obtained 

 very fine examples on the northern shore of Cook's Strait ; and the various local Museums con- 

 tain specimens from other parts of the coast, both north and south. . 



