106 
ZOOLOGY. 
the coast extends its range to the mouth of the Columbia and above. It is abundant at the 
Farallones, where it breeds, and we saw what I supposed to he the same species, hut apparently 
smaller and the colors all brighter, down the coast to Acapulco and below, following the steamer 
in numbers especially large off the island of San Marguerita, being there accompanied by the 
ring-billed gull ( L . zonorliyncus ?) and the short-tailed albatross (Zh brachyurus.) 
DROMEDEA NIGRIPES. 
Black-Footed Albatross. 
This albatross, of which I obtained a young specimen, agreeing in every respect with 
Audubon’s description of D. nigrijoes, is abundant along the entire Pacific coast, from the 
mouth of the Columbia to Cape St. Lucas. How far to the north it ranges I am unable to say, 
but it is found, at least, as far up the coast as the Russian possessions. It may also descend 
lower than the entrance of the Gulf of California, but in going up tbe coast we first noticed 
them at about that latitude, and, coming down, we had more or fewer of these birds in sight 
all the way from Astoria to San Francisco, and subsequently from San Francisco southward, 
till we passed Cape St. Lucas, when they gradually left us, and we saw them no more. A 
marked change in the temperature takes place in passing this point, usually requiring a change 
in the clothing of the passengers on the steamers, so that it is probable this is the natural 
southern limit of the range of this species in that sea. 
TACHYPETES AQUILUS. 
The Frigate Pelican. 
These birds are quite common off the coast of California. While on the steamer we frequently 
saw them floating about, high in the air, their wings entirely motionless and seeming as though 
sustained by their own specific gravity. If, however, the busy throng of gulls, so carefully 
sweeping the sea for fish or carcass far below, were called together by the discovery of anything 
of that kind, as swift as an arrow from a bow the frigate pelican would shoot down into 
their midst to share the spoil. 
I had no opportunity of testing the stories told of the piratical attacks of this bird upon the 
defenceless gulls, as 1 never saw one descend near the ship. 
PHAETON AETHEREUS ? ? 
The Tropic Bird. 
The tropic bird is not uncommon from lower California to Panama. Its pure white color, 
its fluttering flight, like that of a butterfly, and its long, streamer-like tail feathers will serve 
to point it out to the traveller. 
CARBO PENECILLATUS. 
Green Cormorant. 
Of this splendid species a fine specimen was presented to us by Dr. Ayres, of San Francisco 
He obtained it at the Farallone islands, from which he returned on the day of our arrival in 
the city. 
We did not find it anywhere along the coast, (though doubtless it visits the shore,) and it is 
