BY A. P. BASSET HULL. 673 



resembling that of the Solan Goose. A few birds were sitting in 

 the crevices in pairs, 



Mr. Lindsay Buffett informed me that on Phillip Island this 

 bird lays one egg only on a ledge, in a crevice, or on the sand 

 u nder an overhanging boulder, from the base to the top of the 

 clifiF. It is possible to reach some of the eggs by standing up in 

 a boat brought in to the base of the cliff in very calm weather. 



Very few biids breed on Nepean Island and the smaller rocky 

 islets. 



On Lord Howe Island it breeds on the cliffs of the main 

 island. 



The breeding season at both groups extends from the end of 



November to the end of January. I have specimens of eggs 

 taken at Lord Howe Island during December and Januar}^, 



1908-9. They are very handsome,and variable in colour-markings. 



The ground-colour is white, but most examples are so heavily 



marked with purplish-pink specks and spots, with overlying 



purplish-brown blotchesthat theground-colour isentirelyobscured. 

 Very occasionally, white specimens are obtained. North mention;^ 



two of the latter as being obtained at Lord Howe Island. 



Dimensions :— (1) 2-7 x 1-98 (15th December, 1907); (2) 2-7 x 



1-9 (14th December, 1908); (3) 2-6 x 1-85 (18th January, 1909); 

 (4) 2-55 X 1-8 (31st January, 1909). 



251 (M). 40.PHAETHON LEPTURUS Daudin. 



White-tailed Tropic Bird. 



Phaeton candidus, North, Rec. Aust. Mus.iii.,No.4, p.89(1898). 



Hab. — Lord Howe Island( visitor). (Australian Seas, Tropical 

 Oceans, Atlantic and Pacihc Oceans). 



One specimen in an advanced stage of immaturity was obtained 

 from Lord Howe Island in May, 1890, by Mr. D. Love(North;. 



ACCIPITRIFORMES. 

 253(M). 41. Circus gouldi Bonaparte. 



Gould's Harrier; Hawk(L.H.I., and N.I.) 

 Circus gouldi, Ramsay, p. 37; C. woljii, Etlieridge, 'Lord Howe 

 Island,' p.8. 

 6d 



