DUSKY SHEARWATER. 
Puffinus obscurus. 
Le Petrel obscur. 
Tur Dusky Shearwater so closely resembles the preceding species both in form and colouring that its diminutive 
size may be said to constitute the only difference by which it is distinguished from that bird; no doubt, however, 
exists in our minds as to their being really distinct. The two species are moreover inhabitants of different 
parts of the globe, the Puffinus Anglorum being almost confined to the northern seas, while the Puffinus obscurus 
is equally confined to the southern, and rarely found further north than the Mediterranean, on the European 
shores of which sea most of the European examples have been procured. It is more abundant on the shores 
of Africa, extending from the Cape of Good Hope to its northern boundary: Africa then may be considered 
as its natural habitat. 
The sexes do not appear to differ in external appearance, nor are the young of the first year distinguished 
by any particular plumage. 
In habits and manners this species is supposed closely to resemble the Puffinus Anglorum, but on these 
points little or nothing is at present known. 
Crown of the head, ear-coverts, all the upper surface, wings and tail sooty black ; sides of the face and 
throat transversely marked with indistinct lines of the same colour ; all the remainder of the plumage white ; 
bill lead-colour at the base, becoming black towards the tip; feet olive; external web light olive. 
We have figured an adult of the natural size. 
