NECTRIS FTTLIG-INOSUS. 
SOOTY PETREL. 
PUFFINUS FULIGINOSUS. Strick. Proc. Zool. Soc. (1832), p. 129. Lawk. B. of N. Ain. (1858), p. 803. 
NECTRIS FULIG4XOSA. Keys. & Blas. Wirbelt, Europ. (1840), p. Coues. Proc. Acad Nat. Scien. Phil. (1804), p. 123. 
This species is ati inhabitant of the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean. It has been known to ornithologists for many years, 
having been first described by Mr. Strickland, in 1832. The term Fuliginosus given to this bird, was subsequently applied to 
others of the same family, and much confusion caused thereby. Perhaps no birds are so inextricably involved in a mass of 
synonymy as are those which compose the family of the P r ocellar iidee j and uo one has done more real service, in trying to throw 
some light upon them, aud unweave the tangled web, than Dr. Coues, in his admirable and conscientious monograph. 
Although this species has been so long known, but little has been recorded regarding its habits. It wanders over the ocean, 
searching for such refuse as it may find floating on the surface, aud follows in the wake of vessels, ready to appropriate to its own 
use anything that may be cast overboard suitable for its food. 
The upper parts are brownish black, deeper on the primaries and tail-feathers ; under parts grayish, lighter on the throat ; 
bill, brownish black ; inner side of tarsi, and interdigital membrane, flesh-color. 
The figure is life-size. 
NECTRIS AMAUEOSOMA. 
PACIFIC SOOTY PETREL. 
NECTRIS AMAUROSOMA. Coues. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien. (1864), p. 124. 
This bird, described by Dr. Coues, was among the novelties obtained by Mr. Kantus, at Cape St. Lucas, who procured but a 
single specimen. It is closely allied to the previous 'species, but seems to present sufficient characters to separate it. 
Nothing is known of its habits or economy, and, fortunately, having only very lately been described, it is not burdened with 
any synonyms. 
The specimen from which the drawing was made is the type of the species, and is unique It was entrusted to my care for 
the purpose of being illustrated in this work, by Prof. Baikd of the Smithsonian Institution, who has generously placed at my 
disposal all the new and uufigured species of American Birds contained in the magnificent collection under his charge, aud to whom 
I am thus indebted for aiding this work, since its commencement. 
Upper parts, chocolate brown, darker on the rump ; primaries, black on their outer webs and tips, brown ou the inner ; tail- 
feathers, brownish black; under wing-coverts, white, marbled with brown; entire under parts, lighter than the back, having a grayish 
hue. The figure is the natural size. 
