Bulmer, Walter, Jr., 1966-1967
Page 141
Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Contributed by Smithsonian Institution Archives. | www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
Pterodroma phaeopygia 0720 Nov.7 Three birds flying together, coming close to ship. Description: General size and shape wedgetail like (almost as apparent as Pt. altum). Upper part uniform dark brownish-grey with darker primaries, secondaries, and tail. White forehead and black cap patch. Under parts pure white, no partial collar like wedgetail. Underwing with wide dark border like wedgetail. Nov. 10 One individual evidently flew from under the bow. The bird was uniformly dark brown above with darker edging of feathers giving it a scaled appearance. The primaries and secondaries, and tail were darker brown than the rest of the dorsal surface. The white forehead to eye level and darker ear patch was a major difference from a wedgetail, although the bird appeared smaller. The underparts were clear white. The under wing coverts were white within wide (2") dark border, perhaps more evenly cut than a wedgetail. Nov. 26 One individual flew close to ship accompanied by 3 wedgetails. At once the white forehead made the bird look drastically different from the wedgetail. In feet stoleros appeared white handed with a dark "sun" patch Pterodroma sp. 2 Dec 1866 One Pterodroma observed in a flock of Pt. altum. Description - Uniform gray-brown, almost cachy colored. Under very grey, brown reflecting slight silverish like a slate underwing. In good light the underwing was completely brown without pattern. The bird was viewed close and had no visible pattern. General shape and size was slightly smaller than Pt. altum with slender wings. Shape was similar to Kermade, but general appearance very different. Most Kermades have a dark underwing with light patch at the base of primaries. This individual had a light brown underwing without any marking. Kermade appears to have a wide wing from long secondaries while the bird had a slender underwing with shorter secondaries. Flight was typical of Pterodroma in that the bird slapped occasionally and soared in high arcs turning completely sideways to the wind. The bird was not any dark Puffin since I am quite familiar with all species in that genus and the shape of this bird did not fit any Puffins species. Believe to be Pt. altum Pt. neglecta of slightly different shape and light underwing without markings.