PUFFTMJS OPISTHOMELAS. 



uniform sooty-brown above the thighs ; under tail-coverts sooty-brown, with obsolete 

 white fringes at the tips, the central bunch near the vent white, with brown tips ; 

 under wing-coverts white, mottled with brown edgings to the marginal series, more 

 distinct on the inner greater coverts ; quills blackish-brown below, somewhat more ashy 

 on the inner webs, which are white at the extreme base ; axillaries white, sooty-brown 

 towards the ends, and edged with white at the tip ; " nasal tubes and culmen blackish ; 

 sides of bill yellowish or reddish brown, the margins bluish-white ; internal aspect, 

 and part of the side of the outer tarsus, middle and inner toes and webs light yellowish 

 flesh-colour ; rest of tarsus and toes brownish-black ; claws brown ; iris dark brown " 

 (J. Xantus). Total length about 13.3 inches ; culmen, 1.45 ; wing, 9.5 ; tail, 3.3 ; 

 tarsus, 1.7 ; middle toe and claw, 2.1. 



Advlt female. Similar to the male. Total length 14.5 inches ; culmen, 1.4 ; wing, 

 9.4 ; tail, 3.1 ; tarsus, 1.65 ; middle toe and claw, 1.9. 



The description of the male is taken from an example from Santa Cruz, California, 

 received from Mr. C. K. Worthen, now in our collection. The female is from Monterey, 

 California, and was obtained by Mr. Alvin Seale, and is also in the British Museum. 

 The figure in the Plate has been drawn from one of the above specimens. 



Ill 



