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GENUS iESTRELATA (Bonaparte). 



MEMBERS of this genus are chiefly distinguished among Petrels by the great length of their wings 

 and the dclicacv of their feet. 



.ESTKLLATA MOLLIS (Gould). 



SOFT -PLUM AGED PETREL. Genus: ^Estrelata. 



rillllS Petrel is noticeable from the rapid motion of its greal wings. It is more plentiful in the 

 Atlantic than in the Pacific, but seems to range completely round the globe, over the seas in the 

 temperate latitudes. 



The food consists of the same materials as that sought after by the majority of the Petrel tribe. 



The sexes are alike in colour; the young have the throat speckled with grey and the under 

 surface dark grey before the full-grown feathers appear. 



Upper part of the head, slate-grey, with margin of white on forehead; hack, slate-grey: throat, 

 lace, and all the under surface, almost a pure white, except where interrupted by a taint grey tinge upon 

 the chest, forming a hand across the breast : before and behind the eye a dark brown mark : tail, feathers 

 in centre dark grey, outer feathers white-grey : hill and feet, black. 



Length, l:!.' inches: bill, I | inch: wing. LO inches; tail. 5 inches: tarsi. Lj inch: middle toe and 

 nail, I ; inch. 



Habitats : Although not so numerous in the 1'aciHc as in the Atlantic, they are very plentiful 

 in the colder southern latitudes, and vessels making their easting and passing near the precipitous islands 

 of St. Paul and Amsterdam meet with them in great numbers; doubtless, like other wandering members of 

 the family, it visits all parts of the globe. 



j;stim;lata cooki. 



t'ook'S PETREL. Genus: JEstrelata. 



rjll II S is another swift-flying Petrel, and in its great range of habitation resembles the foregoing species. 



Some confusion exists as to its definite distinction from the /Estrelata Leuooptera, or White-winged 

 Petrel: Gould was of opinion that the two belonged to distinct species, from differences he observed in 

 the si/.e. colouring and formation of the feet. Only the well-defined variety is illustrated here, however, 

 though subsequent investigation may .-auction the subdivision of the members of this genus into other 



species. 



