32. PUFFINUS EDWARDSI, OustaleL 



(CAPE VERDE ISLANDS SHEARWATER.) 



Puffinus edwardsi, Oustalet, Ann. Sci. Nat. (6), XVI., Art. V., p. 1 (1883). 

 Puffinus marice, Boyd Alexander, Ibis, 1898, pp. 92, 108, 109. 



P. huhli similis, sed minor ; subtus albus, minime griseo marmoratus vel vermiculatus, 

 faciei tamen et colli lateribus griseo marmoratis : axillaribus albis : remigibus intus 

 griseo-brunneis, minime albis. 



This species was originally described by the late Dr. Oustalet from the island of Branca, 

 in the Cape Verde Archipelago. Dr. Oustalet's description was overlooked at the time, 

 and Lieut. Boyd Alexander, who visited the islands in March, 1897, and met with the 

 species on Brava, Raza, and Branca, named it P. marice. Further individuals were 

 obtained by him on the way to the Rombos Islands, but, contrary to expectation, 

 none were found inhabiting the rocks of that group. 



P. edwardsi is nearly allied to P. huhli, but differs in size, and must be considered 

 to be distinct. The following measurements, taken from specimens collected by 

 Lieut. Boyd Alexander, prove that P. edwardsi is decidedly smaller than P. huhli. 

 The dimensions of specimens measured in the flesh are recorded by him as follows : — 



Total length. Oilmen. Wing. Tarsus. ^d^aw! 



6 17.4 in. .. 1.7 .. 11.8—12.1 ..1.75—1.8 .. 2.3—2.4 



? 17.0— 17.3 in. .. 1.62— 1.7.. 11.5—11.8.. 1.75 .. 2.35 



The specimens in the British Museum and in the collection of the Hon. Walter 

 Rothschild, obtained by Lieut. Boyd Alexander, give the following dimensions : — 



$ Wing, 11.95-12.1 inches ; culmen, 1.7-1.85 ; tarsus, 1.8-1.85 ; middle toe 

 and claw, 2.2-2 .4. 



? Wing, 11.6-12.1 inches ; culmen, 1.7-1.75 ; tarsus, 1.75-1.8 in. ; middle toe 

 and claw, 2.25-2.45. 



In addition to the smaller size and more slender bill, Lieut. Boyd Alexander 

 points out that P. edwardsi differs from P. huhli in colour, having the crown and neck 

 much darker, and of a deep sooty-grey tint. 



He has given the following account of the species in the Cape Verde Islands : — 



99 



