121 
of the font, which is one point that has linen relied upon, lessens 
the probability of distinctness, especially as the ascribed colour- 
ation does not coincide in every case with the dimensions. The 
size and proportions of the examples examined, as carefully 
measured in the flesh by Dr. Kidder, warrant me in adducing the 
P. garnoti of Lesson as a synonym of P. itr matrix ; to which I 
still refrain from adding the P. herardi of Qtioy and Guimard.” 
Mr. R B. Sharpe however, holds a contrary opinion and in 
the “ Account of the Collections made in Kerguelen’s Land,”* * * § 
after giving the measurements of a number of the so-called species 
from different localities, writes “My conclusions differ from those 
of 1 >r. Coues, insomuch that T consider that P. herardi is nothing 
but the young of P, urinatrix , and that P. garnoti on the contrary 
must be held to be distinct on account of its very much larger 
size ; at all events the examples from Western South America 
indicate a distinct race.” Dr. Coppinger in the Cruise of the 
Alert, f records capturing a specimen of PeUcanoides nr matrix on 
the west coast of Patagonia. 
However obscured the synonymy of Pelecanoides nrinatrix 
appears to be at present, it is interesting to know that its habits 
and mode of nidifieation are not, owing chiefly to the many 
scientific expeditions that have been sent to Kerguelen Island 
to make observations during the Transit of Venus. During the 
voyage of H.M.S. Challenger, in 1874, Sir C. Wyville Thomson} 
writes : — “ It is to be seen on the surface of the water in Royal 
Sound when the water is calm in very large flocks. On two days 
when excursions were made in the steam pinnace, the water was 
seen to be covered with these birds in flocks, extending over acres, 
which were black with them.” 
Dr. Kidder, who accompanied the United States Transit of 
Venus Expedition sent to Kerguelen Tsland§ in the same year, 
gives an account of their nesting habits, the eggs which he 
describes measure as follows: -1*62 x 1 To ; 1*62 x T27 ; 1*66 
x 1*26 ; D65xD2r>. The Rev. A. E. Eaton] | who accompanied 
the expedition sent to the same island by Her Majesty’s Govern- 
ment, for the purpose of making observations during the Transit 
of Venus, writes as follows respecting the nidifieation of this 
species : — “They had begun to pair when we reached Kerguelen 
* Sharpe, “ Account of the collections made in Kerguelen's Land and 
Rodriguez during the Transit of Venus Expeditions, in the years 1874-5, 
p. 116.” (1879)- 
f Coppinger, Cruise of the Alert, pp. 105-106, (1883). 
X Thomson, Voy. ILM.S. Challenger, Karr, of the Cruise, Vol. L, part 
i., p. 359 (1885). 
§ Kidder and Coues, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus. Nat. Hist. No. 2, of Kerguelen 
Island, made in connection with the American Transit of Venus Expedi- 
tion, 1874-5, p. 38, (1875); id. part ii., pp. 17, 18 (1876). 
|| Eaton, Account of the collections made in Kerguelen’s Land and 
Rodriguez during the Transit of Venus Expeditions in the year 1874-5, 
p. 117 (1879). 
B— March, 1891. 
