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DUSKY SHEARWATER.

Puffinus obscurus.

Le Petrel obscur.

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Tue Dusky Shearwater so closely resembles the preceding species both in form and colouring that its diminutive

size may be said to constitute the only difference by which it is distinguished from that bird; no doubt, however,

:

San

exists in our minds as to their being really distinct. The two species are moreover inhabitants of different
parts of the globe, the Pufinus Anglorum being almost confined to the northern seas, while the Puffinus obscurus
is equally confined to the southern, and rarely found further north than the Mediterranean, on the European

a
a4).

~~. *

shores of which sea most of the European examples have been procured. It is more abundant on the shores

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of Africa, extending from the Cape of Good Hope to its northern boundary: Africa then may be considered
as its natural habitat.

The sexes do not appear to differ in external appearance, nor are the young of the first year distinguished
by any particular plumage.

In habits and manners this species is supposed closely to resemble the Pufinus Anglorum, but on these
points little or nothing is at present known. | 7 |

Crown of the head, ear-coverts, all the upper surface, wings and tail sooty black ; sides of the face and
throat transversely marked with indistinct lines of the same colour ; all the remainder of the plumage white ;
bill lead-colour at the base, becoming black towards the tip; feet olive; external web light olive.

We have figured an adult of the natural size.