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Show 1891] PLEISTOCENE BIRD-REMAINS. 475 The largest species of Puffinus is indicated by the right humerus, represented in figs. 13, 13 a of Plate XXXVII., which has a total length of 0,115. The proximal end of another right humerus indicates a slightly larger bird; and there are likewise a perfect radius aud ulna according in size with the humeri, while there are also examples of the metacarpus. The skull is indicated by the imperfect rostrum, and the hinder part of the left mandibular ramus. The other bones from Tavolara which I refer to this species include the right coracoid and two examples of the femur. There is also a femur probably referable to this species from Monte San Giovanni. The figured humerus is slightly longer than the one of P. cinereus, Stephens, figured by Milne-Edwards in his ' Rech. Oiseaux de la France,' pi. 52. fig. 7 ; and since it agrees very closely with the corresponding bone of a skeleton of P. fuliginosus, 1 am inclined to refer it to that species, which now inhabits South Europe. The tibio-tarsus of that species has a comparatively short cnemial crest, like that of the specimen represented in fig. 14 of the Plate. The second species of the genus is represented by the right tibio-tarsus and tarso-metatarsus, drawn'in'figs. 14, 14 a of Plate X X X V 1 L , as well as by the rostrum and portions of the mandible, together probably with some bones not easy to distinguish from those of the third species. The tibio-tarsus is very considerably larger thau that of P. obscurus (Milne-Edwards, op. cit. pi. 51. figs. 14, 15), so that these specimens could not possibly have belonged to the still larger P. fuliginosus. In the small relative height of the cnemial crest this type accords with P. fuliginosus, and also with that of P. chloro-rhynchus, Less., of Madagascar, &c, the latter being, however, considerably smaller than the specimen before us. The figured tarso-metatarsus accords fairly well in relative size with the tibio-tarsus (although there are some slightly smaller specimens of the opposite side agreeing still better in this respect), and calls for no special mention. The species to which these bones belonged may probably be regarded as one allied to P. chlororhynchus. The third species of Puffinus, as typified by the tibio-tarsus and tarso-metatarsus represented in figs 16, 16a of Plate XXXVII., is distinguished from the preceding not only by its inferior size, but also by the much greater length of the cnemial crest of the tibio-tarsus. To the same species may be referred the type of humerus represented in figs. 15, 15 a of the Plate, as well as a coracoid and several examples of the radius, ulna, and metacarpus. There are likewise several more or less imperfect specimens of the cranium and mandible belonging to this species. The tibio-tarsus accords in all respects with the corresponding bone of a skeleton of P. anglorum preserved in the Prosector's room at the Society's Gardens ; and I should have no hesitation iu referring the fossil form to that species were there not some doubt whether the Mediterranean representative of this Shearwater does not form a distinct species (P. yelkouan, Acerbil). There can, however, I think be no doubt but that the fossil belongs to one or other of these two forms. 1 See Yarrell's ' British Birds,' ed. 4, vol. iv. pp. 25, 26. |