SHEARWATERS 
47 
Distribution. The family is distributed over the oceans of the world north and 
south. Though many species are regularly confined to the southern hemisphere they are 
great wanderers and the list of stragglers on our northern coast is comparatively large. 
Of many species very little is known, and our knowledge of several of them is confined to 
single, or a few specimens, that have found their way into collectors’ hands. Other species 
than those here listed may be eventually found on our coasts, but their identification 
should be made with the greatest caution. 
Economic Status. Though feeding almost entirely on fish and offal, 
their deep sea habitat renders these birds of little economic importance. 
Shearwaters 
General Description. Large birds, 11 to 20 inches long. Solid dark brown coloration, 
or dark above and white below. 
Distinctions. Bill stout. Nostril tubes not closely fused, but laid on either side of 
culmen, with space between as wide as, or wider than, nostril (Figure 85). 
Field Marks. Large size, solid dark coloration, or dark above and white below. The 
square or rounded tail and flight habits will distinguish the shearwaters from the hawk- 
like jaegers with long, graduated tail, which may be similar in size or colour. Colour should 
separate them from the Fulmar which has similar size and flight. The long, narrow wings, 
held stiffly at right angles to the body, the rapid wing-strokes alternating with long glides 
often of half a mile or more, are characteristics of these birds and the Fulmar. 
Nesting. Little is known of the nesting of the shearwaters. Mostly in holes in the 
ground, or crevices among rocks on isolated islets in the south seas. Migrate north in our- 
summer. 
96. Slender-billed Shearwater, le puffin a bec mince. Puffinus tenuirostris ■_ 
L, 14. Of the west coast. May be regarded as a smaller form of the Sooty Shearwater. 
See next species. 
Distinctions. Smaller and rather greyer than the Sooty Shearwater and with grey 
rather than white underwing-coverts. The name Slender-billed is rather misleading.. 
The bill is if anything shorter and relatively stouter than the preceding species (Figure- 
85). 
Field Marks. A dark shearwater, light grey along the forward edge of the under- 
wing. Smaller than the Sooty Shearwater. 
Distribution. Southern hemisphere, north in summer to Bering Sea. 
Our records for this species cover southern Vancouver Island and the 
north end of Queen Charlotte Islands. May be commoner than our records 
indicate as on sight it may be confused with the Sooty. 
95. Sooty Shearwater, le puffin fuligineux. Puffinus griseus. L, 16-18. Of 
the west coast. All dark brownish grey. Lining of wings 
nearly white. 
Distinctions. Rather browner and less greyish, under- 
wing-coverts whiter, and bird larger than the Slender-billed 
Shearwater, the only shearwater it is likely to be confused 
with. 
Field Marks. A dark shearwater with considerable 
white along the forward edge of underwing. Larger than 
the Slender-billed. 
Distribution. Oceans of southern hemisphere. Breeds 
among the islands of Tierra del Fuego, In summer, north 
to Canadian waters on both coasts, in the west to the base 
of the Alaska panhandle. 
This is the commonest shearwater to be seen on our coasts. 
90. Manx Shearwater, le puffin manx. Puffinus puffinus. L, 14. A medium- 
sized shearwater of the east coast, strikingly black and white. 
Distinctions. In its contrasting black and white coloration plainly distinguishable 1 
from any other shearwater of the east coast except the Allied Shearwater, of which it is 
a larger edition, with wing about 9 inches instead of only 7 inches. 
76916 — 41 
Bill of Sooty Shearwater; 
scale. L 
