Sandager. — On iJic Mokoliinou Islands. 293 



Prion banksii. 



Does not breed here, but three years ago I secured a spe- 

 cimen which struck the kintern. 



Thalassidwnia melanog aster. 



So far as I have been able to discover, this species does not 

 breed here. In 1886 Mr. W. E. Wilson (now at Ponui Light- 

 house) caught a specimen which flew against the lantern. It 

 is the only one I have seen. 



Thalass Idroma frcgata. 



Confines itself to one of the low islands, where it breeds in 

 considerable numbers, the nests being as close together as the 

 ground will permit. Burrowing begins during xlugust, both 

 birds being engaged in the work, which is carried on during 

 the day for the last month previous to laying. Nesting-mate- 

 rial, of \Yhich a comparatively large amount is used, is col- 

 lected during the first half of October ; laying begins in the 

 middle of the same month, and is over by the 1st Novem- 

 ber. The egg, of which one only is deposited in each nest, is 

 white, with more or less reddish specks at the blunt end, or 

 sometimes disposed in a band. The eggs are rather variable 

 in size, and the following measurements were taken from the 

 smallest and largest of many examples : Length, l'3in. ; width, 

 O'Olin. : length, l-44in. ; width, l-7in. The young in down 

 are greyish-bkxck, but when taking their departure, duriiig the 

 last week of February and first week of March, can scarce be 

 distinguished from the old birds. During thick weather in 

 the breeding-season a great nuinber fly against the lantern or 

 come in at the light-room door. 



*o* 



Dysporus serrator. 



Often seen, but does not breed in the vicinity. 



Phalacrocorax novcB-hoUandicB. 

 Common. Does not breed here. 



Eiidyptula undiiia. 



Breeds on the Mokohinou Islands, but not in great num- 

 bers. Examined several burrows in the middle of June, and 

 found two birds in each, burrowing. Again, a month later, 

 and found that the birds had deposited dry rubbish in the 

 burrow. On the loth August I found several nests with 

 one or two eggs in each, and others again, a fortnight later, 

 also with eggs quite fresh. The young leave in the end of 

 December and first half of January. In dry or stony places 

 little, if any, nesting-material is used unless it is found very 

 close at hand, and any suitable hollow or crevice in the rocks, 



