1909
Oct. 12 [October 12, 1909]
(No 4)
  Concerning the identification of the Greater Shearwaters
observed today I have no doubts whatsoever. In appearance 
and behavior they were one and all typical of that species
as I have known it for many years, off the New England
coast. As I watched them flying about, often so near at
hand that I could make out all the details of color &
markings distinctly, I became well-nigh convinced that
the birds seen in such numbers on my outward voyage
this year (on August 1) must have been something different.
The latter were certainly smaller and "chunkier" with decidedly
shorter wings, and their flight was slower and heavier. During
the intervals of sailing on set wings they rarely covered a distance
of more than four or five yards whereas the Greater
Shearwaters seen today frequently skimmed without a 
wing beat for one hundred yards or more. Moreover there
was the complete & broad white [?] collar which
P. major does not possess.