BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 
219 
I have never taken this Shearwater in the Bahamas, but on 
several occasions saw what I believed to be this species while 
cruising among the islands. 
Fig. Aud. Bds. N. A., Vol. VII. pi. 456. 
PUFFINUS OBSCURUS. ( Gm . ) 
Dusky Shearwater. 
Local Name. — Pimblico. 
Adult Male. — Above, glossy brown, shading into grayish upon 
the sides of the breast; below, white; crissum, brown and white; 
tail, brown, the feathers faintly tipped with ashy; bill, lead-color. 
Length 12.50, wing 8, tail 4.25, tarsus 1.60, bill 1.30. 
The Dusky Shearwater is an abundant resident, but, from its 
peculiar habits, is sometimes quite difficult to procure. , They are 
very shy, and remain far out at sea during the day, only returning 
to the land after it has become too dark to be able to distinguish 
them. All night long their mournful cries can be heard, but long 
before dawn they are off again, and a search with the hope of finding 
any near the shore would be useless. We often observed them in 
large flocks when out of sight of land, seeming to be quietly resting 
on the water, but it was a rare thing for them to allow us to approach 
near enough to obtain a shot from the vessel. Dr. Bryant gives an 
interesting account of this species, which I quote in full, as, unfortu- 
