784 THE BIRDS OF LOKD IIOWK AND NORFOLK ISLANDS, 



have already expressed the opinion that this classification is- 

 erroneous, my reasons being (1) Dr. Metcalfe's statement that it 

 deposits its single egg at the end of a burrow in tlie sandy soil, 

 and (2) the dimensions of the egg as given by North, viz., 

 2'14 X 1-62 inches. t Both of these particulars, to my mind,, 

 effectuall}'^ reaiove Oe. fhilliin from Oe. neglecia. The latter 

 species never under any circumstances uses a burrow for breeding^^ 

 pur|ioses, and the dimensions of its eggs average 2"48xl-77 

 inches. Dr. IMetcalfe obtained two specimens of the Norfolk 

 I.sland bird, one of which, I believe, was forwarded to Dr. Crow- 

 foot. If the present whereabouts of either or both skins could 

 be ascertained and an examination made, I feel sure that tha 

 question would be set at rest. 



Captain Hunter's "Bird of Providence" is at present a 

 mystery. I ascended Mount Pitt, and savv no signs of occupation 

 by any burrowing bird (November); and my collector at Norfolk 

 Island carefully examined the locality early in August of this 

 year, but found no signs of either birds or burrows. Captain 

 Hunter's party found a species of Petrel present on Mount Pitt 

 in immense numbers in May, during which month most of the 

 females were "with egg." If this species bred there now, there 

 would be signs of recent occupation and probably immature birds 

 in August. Apparently, however, the insatiable demands of the 

 convicts resulted either in the complete extermination of the 

 colony or in its removal to some more secure breeding ground. 

 There appears little doubt that this bird belonged to the genus 

 Oestrelata. It might have been Oe. pliilUpi Gray, or (a sugges- 

 tion that I put forward with some hesitation) identical with the 

 species now breeding on Lord Howe Island. The colour "rusty 

 black " assigned by Captain Hunter is not an exact description 

 of the latter species, but the other particulars are applicable. 



[ hope at some future date to procure more information as to 

 the extent to which Puffin^is griseus breeds on Norfolk Island. 

 At present the only data are Sir Walter Buller's expression of" 



tNorth, "Nests and Eggs," (1st Ed.) p.416. 



