DIOMEDEA. 
that the study of juvenile forms would aid in correctly classifying the Albatroses 
and Mollymawks, and that Phoebastria albatrus (Pallas) and the other North 
Pacific Albatroses are more nearly related to the latter than the former. 
Careful examination of the bills of Albatroses and Mollymawks reveals 
much that is very interesting, and worthy of prolonged study from many points 
of view. In order to render my remarks easy of pursuit, I am attaching a 
series of drawings carefully and accurately made, and would point out the 
pecuhar features : this seems the more necessary as the salient details are not 
otherwise capable of facile distinction. 
The first cut represents that of Diojnedea exulans rothschildi, which can be 
accepted as typical of the genus Dimnedea (s. str.). 
Note the manner in which the culminicorn and the latericorn meet 
posterior to the nasal opening, which is close to the base of the biU. A 
peculiar feature is the junction of the feathers of the head and the base 
of the latericorn. When the base of the lower mandible is next examined, 
a distinct angle of entrance is made in the feathering. This would seem 
to be the last signs of the loss of the mandibular groove seen in all other 
members of the Procellariijonnes save the Albatroses, where in one genus 
however it still persists. 
The next cut is that of Phoebastria albatrus (Pallas), and it mpst be 
admitted that many differences are at once apparent. 
The nostril is well separated, as in the genera ThalassarcJie and TJialas- 
sogeron, from the base of the bill, and the culminicorn is produced downwards 
posterior to the nasal opening and overlaps the latericorn. The junction of 
the feathers at the base of the latericorn recalls that of Diomedea ; but look 
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