DIOMEDEID^ — THE ALBATROSSES — DIOMEDEA. 



351 



" I have read somewhere that Albatrosses and Penguins nest together, but cannot 

 see how it is possible. The King Penguin is the only one nesting in low land (as I 

 am told) ; but none were found in this neighborhood. The eggs would be frequently 

 immersed in water, unless raised on similar pedestals to those which the Albatrosses 

 build." 



Six eggs obtained by Dr. Kidder, and described by him on page 12 of "Bulletin 

 No. 3 of the United States National Museum," measured 4.80-5.21 inches in length 

 by 3.08-3.25 in width, the larger and smaller circumferences being respectively 12.80- 

 13.80 and 9.60-10.50 inches. They are described as follows : " The shell is white, of 

 loose granular texture, and roughly mammillated surface. There are no markings 

 beneath the superficial calcareous layer, and the spots which appear on this seem to 

 be adventitious stains from the secretions of the oviduct, or accidental soiling after 

 extrusion. Some specimens show a reddish stain upon the larger end, probably dried 

 blood, since it is readily washed oft'." 



Diomedea albatrus. 



THE SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS. 



Diomedea albatrus. Pall. Spic. Zool. V. 1769, 28. 



Diomedea spadicea, var. B. Lath. Gen. Hist. X. 1824, 52, no. 2, var. B. (cites PI. Enl. 963). 



Diomedea brachiura, Temm. PI. Col. 554 (1828), Adult. 



Diomedea brachyura, Lawji. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 822. — Baikd, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, no. 



631. — CouES, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad. 1866, 177 ; Key, 1872, 325 ; Check List, 1873, no. 578 ; 



ed. 2, 1882, no. 810. — Kidgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, no. 701, 

 Diomedea epomophora. Less. Man. IL 1828, 351. 

 Diomedea chinensis, Temminck, Man. d'Orn. L 1820, ex. 



A dult. 



