20 WATER BIRDS 



All the Fulmars may be distinguished from the gulls 

 in flight by their characteristic wing motions. The 

 wings of the gulls rise and fall rapidly in wide sweeps, 

 and are held more or less at an angle in soaring; the 

 Fulmar wing stroke is slower and apparently (though 

 not really) less powerful. 



The Pacific Fulmar feeds its newly hatched young by 

 regurgitation of an amber-colored ill-smelling oil. It is 

 said by some authorities to eject this as a protection 

 against enemies, also ; certainly the odor is sufficiently 

 oflensive to prevent any but the most enthusiastic orni- 

 thologist from meddling with its domestic afiairs. 



93. BLACK- VENTED SHEARWATER. — Pm^mm* 

 opisthomelas. 



Family : The Fulmars and Shearwaters. 



Length: 12.00-15.00. 



Adults : Upper parts dark slate-color, merging to gi'ay on head and neck ; 



under parts white, except lower tail-coverts, which are blackish gray. 

 Downy Young : Upper parts dark ashy gray ; under parts smoky white. 

 Geographical Distribution : Pacific Ocean, chiefly the southward coast of 



Lower California, north to Santa Cruz, California. 

 Breeding Range : Islands of the South Pacific, north to Lower California. 



Records are claimed of this species as far north as 

 the coast of Oregon. Little is known concerning its 

 nesting habits. Mr. Anthony found adults and young 

 on San Benito Islands in July, and writes that they 

 nest in caves there. (" The Condor," Vol. II. page 29. ) 



Mr. A. W. Anthony in "The Auk," Vol. XIII., has 

 given a full description of the occurrence of these Shear- 



