116. THALASSOGERON LAYARDI, Salvin. 



(LAYARD'S ALBATROS.) 



Thalassogeron layardi, Salvin, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., XXV., p. 450 (1896) ; 

 Ogilvie-Grant, Ibis, 1905, p. 559; W. L. Sclater, Ibis, 1906, p. 212. 



T. canto similis, sed minor : ala 22 poll. : tarso 3.25 ; digito medio cum ungue 5.05. 



The type specimen of Layard's Albatros was obtained by him in the Cape 

 Seas, and Salvin, who says that it is allied to T. cautus and T. salvini, has 

 separated it from the former in the 25th volume of " The Catalogue of Birds," 

 on account of its more slender bill, shorter tarsus and smaller feet, and from 

 the latter by reason of its smaller and slightly narrower bill, shorter tarsus and toes, 

 and also its much whiter head and neck. 



From a comparison of T. layardi and T. cautus it will be seen that in 

 colour they are alike, and that the differences of dimension on which Salvin 

 founded his separation are so slight that it is difficult to consider these features of 

 sufficient value. Mr. Ogilvie-Grant (Ibis, 1905, p. 559) pointed out the further 

 resemblance in the white quill lining, and there are three examples under the name 

 of T. layardi in the Tring Museum which he has compared with the type, and 

 identifies with T. cautus. I cannot but think it questionable whether, with more 

 material available for comparison, the separation of the two species can be maintained. 



Gould, when recording the head of an Albatros in Sir William Jardine's collection 

 from the Cape of Good Hope, identified it with that of his Diomedea cauta from 

 Tasmania, so that the idea that T. cautus ranges from the Australian to the Cape 

 Seas is not altogether new. 



In addition to the type specimen in the British Museum there is another 

 from Knysna Heads, obtained by J. Marais in August, 1899. 



The type measures, total length, 39 inches; culmen, 5.4; wing, 22; tail, 8.5; 

 tarsus, 3.25; middle toe and claw, 5.05. 



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