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Genus IV.— PUFFINUS, Briss. SHEARWATER. 



Bill of the length of the head, rather slender, nearly as deep as broad at 

 the base, much compressed toward the end, nearly-straight, being slightly 

 recurved, with the tips decurved; upper mandible with a cere at the base, 

 extending narrow to the nostrils, which are dorsal, each covered with a 

 lateral convex plate, and opening anteriorly, with an elliptical aperture, dor- 

 sal line as far as the nostrils nearly straight, then suddenly deflected, after- 

 wards slightly concave, towards the end decurved, the ridge very broad and 

 convex at the base, narrower beyond the nostrils, from which a groove runs 

 obliquely on each side, sides convex, nearly erect, edges sharp, tip or unguis 

 strong, decurved, much compressed, very acute; lower mandible with the 

 angle very long and narrow, the dorsal line beyond it decurved, the sides 

 sloping outwards, the edges sharp and inflected, the unguis decurved, acute. 

 Head rather large, oblong; neck rather short; body moderate. Feet rather 

 large; tibia bare for a short spacV below; tarsus of moderate length, com- 

 pressed, reticulated with angular scales; hind toe obsolete, but with a small 

 conical deflected claw; fore toes long, slender, connected by webs; outer toe 

 slightly longer than third. Claws arched, compressed, acute. Plumage full, 

 close, elastic, rather compact above. Wings very long, narrow, the first 

 quill longest. Tail of moderate length, graduated, of twelve rounded 

 feathers. 



