CAMPBELL ISLAND 



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Sooty albatross. The delicate hues and white, crescent-shaped mark behind the eye give this 

 bird a special charm, which is enhanced by the grace and elegance with which it alights and takes 

 off from its nest. This is on rock ledges, often overlooking the sea. 



like a peep behind the scenes. What remains of the beautiful glider is 

 rather like a goose, though a most charming goose. With gentle motions 

 it welcomes the visitor to its family circle. The usual animal fear of man 

 is unknown to it. One of the parents will be sitting on the large, raised 

 nest, in shape rather like a big mole-hill, and it will allow you to go right 

 up to it. It may clap its bill a little; but then it will rise slightly so as to 

 reveal the large white egg, give a little turn with the enormous bill as if 

 to make sure you have really seen it, and quietly settle down again. 



After strange wedding ceremonies the eggs are laid at the end of No- 

 vember and beginning of December; hatching takes no less than 79 days, 

 which is a record in the bird kingdom. During all this time the egg is 

 so well protected that the ubiquitous great skua gets no chance to snatch 

 it. But the first week after hatching is the most dangerous in the bird's 

 whole life history. According to observations by the biologist I. H. Soren- 

 sen, one of the station officials, no less than 50 per cent, perish in this 

 one week. Only after about nine months are the young fully fledged. 

 During all this time they are fed by the parents, at first mainly on fish 

 but later chiefly on cuttle-fish. Owing to their long breeding period these 



