86 
GIGANTIC FULMAR. 
which are inclinate and sharp, the tip compressed, the dorsal outline ascend- 
ing and extremely sharp, the edges at the end suddenly decurved. 
Head rather large, ovate ; neck rather long ; body full. Legs short, rather 
stout ; tibia bare for an inch and a quarter ; tarsus a little compressed, 
covered with angular scales, of which the posterior are much smaller. Hind 
toe elevated, its first phalanx scarcely apparent, its claw large, somewhat 
conical, obtuse, flattened beneath ; the fore toes long, slender, scutellate 
above, connected by striated entire webs ; the fourth toe slightly shorter than 
the third, including the claws, but otherwise longer ; the second toe not 
much shorter. Claws moderate, arched, compressed, rather acute, that of 
the third toe with an inner thin* edge. 
Plumage full, close, elastic ; on the back and wings the feathers rather 
distinct. Wings very long, narrow ; primary quills broad, tapering to an 
obtuse point, the first longest, the rest rapidly graduated ; secondary quills 
broad and rounded. Tail short, much rounded, of sixteen broad, rounded 
feathers, of which the lateral are an inch and a half shorter than the middle. 
Bill and feet yellow. The general colour of the plumage is a deep dingy 
grey or blackish-grey, of tint similar to that of the young of Procellaria 
glacialis and P. pacifica, but much deeper. It is considerably lighter on 
the lower parts, and especially on the lower surface of the wings. 
Length to end of tail 36 inches ; bill along the ridge 4, along the edge of 
lower mandible 31 ; length of nasal case ly| ; wing from flexure ly|; tail 7 5 ; 
tarsus 34; first toe T V; its claw W; second toe 34, its claw -,V; third toe 4 r 5 a, 
its claw fourth toe 44, its claw y^. 
