CAPTAIN DENIIAM S JOUENAL. 33 



dierii), which, when mixed with other meats, affords a fine- 

 flavoured soup. 



On the islets are flocks of the Cape Banca goose, which Mr. 

 Smith informed me were only to be found in these straits in the 

 vicinity of Flinders Island, from Cape Banca to Cape Erankland 

 (west about), and that they are readily domesticated, and hatch 

 from three to seven eggs, and afford an acceptable dish. I ob- 

 tained a live specimen, which Dr. Rayner of this ship describes thus: 

 — " Cereopsis Novcb Hollandice. Body about the size of a common 

 goose ; bill short, vaulted, obtuse, two-thirds of which is covered 

 by an expanded cere of a pale greenish-yellow colour, the tip of 

 the bill being black, arcuated, and truncated. Nostrils large, 

 round, open, and situated in the middle of the bill. "Wings ample,, 

 third quill longest. Legs long, light dull-red, and naked to a little 

 above the knee. Feet black, webbed, the membrane being deeply 

 notched, great toe articulated to the metatarsus. Plumage slate- 

 grey, with black spots upon the wings and back. Wing-feathers 

 dusky black, and edged at the tip with pale grey. Irides light 

 hazel." 



We likewise obtained specimens of the following wildfowl : — 



AVES. 



A Bronze-wing Pigeon, Phaps elegans. 



Quail, Corturnix pectoralis (Gould). 



Oyster-catcher, Hsematophus fuliginosus. 



Ring Plover, Hiaticula bicincta. 



Wild Duck, Anas punctata (Cuvier). 



Great Gull, Larus pacificus. 



Lesser Gull, Xema Jamesonii. 



Mutton Bird, Puffinus brevicaudus (Brandt). 



Southern Gannet, Sulu austrahs (Gould). 



Small Penguin, Spheniscus minor (Temminck). 



The Mutton Bird we observed streaming from island to island ; 

 and I learnt from Mr. Benvenuto Smith the following particulars 

 of its habits from his own observations. 



The male birds come in from sea in the month of September, 

 and prepare the burrows for the reception of the hens. The hen 

 bird does not make her appearance till about the 25th November, 

 when she lays and sits at once. 



The Mutton Bird lays but one egg ; they are employed rearing 

 the young bird until the month of May, at which time the old 

 birds leave the young ones to shift for themselves; the young 

 birds remain in the biu-rows till they are starved down, and then 



LINN. PROO. — ZOOLOGY. 3 



