Volume I Part 6 (1/2)

Breadth across the body, 8 inches.

Length of bill, 6.7 inches.

Length of foot, 7.5 inches.

FOURTH SPECIMEN. The same size as the second.

Length of beak, 6.3 inches.

Length of foot, 6.9 inches.

The beak of each of these birds during lifetime was of a beautiful light rose colour; their voice was something like that of a goose, but rather louder, deeper, and hoa.r.s.er. If during life the beak was pressed with the finger it became quite white, and it was not until the pressure had for some time been removed that the colour returned. The specimens I have described above (all males) were quite white underneath; the white above being speckled with black spots and streaks, sometimes changing to a brownish hue; the wings were black. We obtained also a female bird with the following measurements, which has been described as a distinct species:

Length from tip to tip of wing, 7 feet 2 inches.

Length from tip of tail to tip of beak, 3 feet 5.5 inches.

Length from root to tip of tail, 9 inches.

Length of beak, 4.5 inches.

Length of foot, 5 inches.

Legs pale flesh colour; beak, black, with a brown-coloured streak on each side of the lower mandible; the whole body of a dirty black colour, acquiring a lighter tinge underneath.

October 30.

I shot two male specimens of this last bird: the only distinction between them and the female was that they were rather smaller, and had a white streak instead of a light brown one on each side of the lower mandible.

FIRST SPECIMEN--Male. Weight, 5 1/2 pounds.

Length from tip of wing to tip of wing 6 feet 6 inches.

Length from tip of beak to tip of tail, 2 feet 6 inches.

Length from root to tip of tail, 11 inches.

Length from root to tip of beak, 4 inches.

Length from root to tip of foot, 5 inches.

Length from root to tip of wing, 2 feet 10 inches.

SECOND SPECIMEN--Male. Weight 7 pounds.

Length from tip to tip of wing, 6 feet 9 inches.

Length from tip of beak to tip of tail, 2 feet 10 inches.

Length of tail, 10.6 inches.

Length of beak, 4.7 inches.

Length of foot, 5 inches.

Length of wing, 3 feet.

All the three specimens of this species had a distinct although minute claw, representing a thumb, upon one leg, thus apparently forming a link between the genus Procellaria and the genus Diomedea.

PACHYPTILA VITTATA.

Ash-grey above; white in the under parts; quills, tail-feathers at the tip, and band on the wings when expanded, brownish-black.

Length from tip to tip of wing, 2 feet.