GIGANTIC FULMAR. 203 



which are inclinate and sharp, the tip compressed, the dorsal outline ascend- 

 ing and extremely sharp, the edges at the end suddenly decurved. 



Head rather large, ovate; neck rather long; body full. Legs short, rather 

 stout; tibia bare for an inch and a quarter; tarsus a little compressed, 

 covered with angular scales, of which the posterior are much smaller. Hind 

 toe elevated, its first phalanx scarcely apparent, its claw large, somewhat 

 conical, obtuse, flattened beneath; the fore toes long, slender, scutellate 

 above, connected by striated entire webs; the fourth toe slightly shorter than 

 the third, including the claws, but otherwise longer; the second toe not 

 much shorter. Claws moderate, arched, compressed, rather acute, that of 

 the third toe with an inner thin edge. 



Plumage full, close, elastic; on the back and wings the feathers rather 

 distinct. Wings very long, narrow; primary quills broad, tapering to an 

 obtuse point, the first longest, the rest rapidly graduated; secondary quills 

 broad and rounded. Tail short, much rounded, of sixteen broad, rounded 

 feathers, of which the lateral are an inch and a half shorter than the middle. 



Bill and feet yellow. The general colour of the plumage is a deep dingy 

 grey or blackish-grey, of a tint similar to that of the young of Procellaria 

 glacialis and P. pacifica, but much deeper. It is considerably lighter on 

 the lower parts, and especially on the lower surface of the wings. 



Length to end of tail 36 inches; bill along the ridge 4, along the edge of 

 lower mandible 3^; length of nasal case 1|§; wing from flexure Iff; tail 7j; 

 tarsus 3^; first toe T V, its claw T y, second toe 3^-, its claw -f^; third toe 4 T 5 2, 

 its claw 4t; fourth toe 4%, its claw jj- 



