NATATORES. 



407 



sonii), but it is white beneath, from the breast down ; the under parts 

 of the wings are white, with a dark bar in the middle, about the bill 

 (the bill itself?), red; breast black. Another species, about the same 

 size, is of a pale lead-color above, with a dark-colored bar on the wings, 

 all white beneath. Its actions are more sprightly and swallow-like ; 

 it flies around the ship, but does not so constantly follow the wake as 

 the others. 



" We were not so fortunate as to obtain specimens of either of the 

 last-noticed species, both of which are probably undescribed analogues 

 of the northern Thalassidromoe. The first differs from T. oceanica in 

 having a red bill, and the latter from T.f areata in being white, instead 

 of lead-color beneath. T. oceanica, or a species bearing a strong resem- 

 blance to it, was seen in various parts of the temperate regions of the 

 Pacific and Indian Oceans, but we did not succeed in obtaining speci- 

 mens." 



The observations made by the naturalists of the Expedition on this 

 handsome little sea-bird, are of especial interest, being amongst the 

 first notices that have ever been published of a species now undoubt- 

 edly to be regarded as belonging to the Ornithological Fauna of the 

 United States. Specimens in the collection of the Expedition are in 

 good plumage and preservation. 



9. Genus PROCELLARIA, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, p. 212 (176G). 

 1. Procellaria gigantea, Gmelin. — The Giant Petrel. 



Procellaria gigantea, Gm. Syst. Nat. I, p. 563 (1788). 



Lath. Syn. Plate C ; Gould, B. of Aust. VII, Plate XLV. 



This large species was frequently observed daring the voyage of 

 the Expedition, and is entitled to be regarded as a bird of North Ame- 

 rica, specimens in the collection having been obtained on the coast of 

 Oregon. Much larger than its immediate relatives in this group, it 

 more resembles the Albatrosses in size and great powers of flight, 

 though apparently presenting little variation from the manners and 

 habits of the smaller congeneric species. 



This bird is frequently mentioned by Dr. Pickering, from whose 

 Journal we transcribe the following : 



