Order PKOCELLABIIFORMES.] 



[Family PUFFIN I~DM. 



1 5 



PRIOFINUS CINEHEUS. 



(GEEY PETEEL.) 



Adamastor cinereus (Gmel.), Buller, Birds of New Zealand, vol. ii., p. 241. 



The late Captain Fairchild brought me a pair of this comparatively rare species of Petrel, shot 

 by him, a few days before, halfway between Wellington and the Chatham Islands. One of them 

 being in the flesh, I am able to supply the actual measurements, hitherto known only from the 

 skin. 



Female. — Extreme length, 22in. ; extent of wings, 51in. ; wing from flexure, 15in. ; tail, 5in. ; 

 bill, along the ridge 2'2in., along the edge of lower mandible 2'3in. ; tarsus, 2in. ; middle toe and 

 claw, 3'25in. The bill is perfectly black on the ridge, but changes to horn-colour on the hook ; 

 the sides of both mandibles are bluish-grey, but a black line extends down the middle of the 

 lower mandible and widens out on meeting the unguis, which is dull horn-colour. The hides are 

 very dark brown, almost black. The legs and feet are greyish flesh-colour, shaded with slaty 

 grey on the heel and on the outer side of tarsus and toe ; interdigital webs yellowish with grey 

 edges. 



This was the first time Captain Fairchild had obtained specimens of this Petrel during the 

 many years he had navigated the Government steamer. He came upon them in calm weather ; 

 stopped the engines, lowered a boat and secured two birds out of a large flock. It cannot, there- 

 fore, be very plentiful. But it appears to enjoy a wide oceanic range, for I have in my collection 

 an example taken at sea not far from the Cape of Good Hope. 



The following passages (most of them relating to this species) are from my diary for 1893, 

 recording my observations during an ocean voyage : — 



7th March. — We had a very tempestuous night, and this morning not a single Albatros was to be seen. 

 But we were now followed by a flock of about forty large Grey Petrels (Priofinus cinereus) . The flight of this 

 bird is very light and buoyant, with scarcely any movement of the wings, the back being slightly arched, the 

 head drawn in close to the body, and the tail partially spread. The motion is very graceful and, as the birds 

 unceasingly cross and recross each other's course in ever-varying circles, they furnish the listless passenger on 

 deck with very pleasant diversion. It would seem that different areas or tracts of the ocean's surface are in- 

 habited by distinct species of Petrel, their presence or absence being doubtless regulated by the abundance or 

 otherwise of their special food-supply ; and also that this species of Petrel, like many others, hunts in com- 

 munities. For, as we proceeded on our course, there were fresh recruits, till, at the close of the day, we had 

 fully a hundred of these aerial followers close in our wake. On garbage being thrown overboard they would 

 quickly congregate and settle down upon the waters to dispute over its possession, manifesting their eagerness 

 by a twittering or squeaking cry. About nooa (lat. 51° 54' S., long. 150° 34' W.) a single Albatros appeared 

 among these Petrels, and later on another, and then a third. A large Black Petrel, with a white bill (appa- 

 rently Majaqueus parkinsoni) joined the company for a short time, its dark plumage making it a conspicuous 

 object among the lighter-coloured birds. 



11th March.— Calm weather, with intense cold and no birds. A solitary Grey Petrel passed and repassed 

 astern of us several times, and then made off across the waste of waters, leaving us to pursue our course easterly, 

 without a sign of animation around or above us. Towards evening a Giant Petrel (Ossifraga gigantea), the 

 first we have seen, made a long sweep ahead of us, flying low, and keeping at a distance from the ship. 

 This species is common enough in higher latitudes. 



12th March.— No appearance to-day of the Grey Petrel, although the weather seemed favourable 

 enough. 



3th March. — Grey Petrel again numerous ; also Diomedea culminata, the young birds (with dark- 

 coloured head and neck) predominating, and an occasional Diomedea exulans. 



