goo XESTS AXD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 



Observations. — Although the Black Petrel has been recorded off 

 the coast of New South Wales and Tasmania, it is more peculiar to 

 New Zealand seas. It is veiy similar to the Spectacled Petrel, but 

 smaller. 



According to Sir Walter Buller, it resorts to Little Banier and 

 adjacent islands to breed in colonies. It also resorts for that purpose 

 to the top of low moiuitains far removed from the sea. The Maoris 

 soon discover their breeding places, and not only collect the yoimg, but 

 capture large nimibers of the old birds by lighting fires on calm nights 

 (for the birds are nocturaal), and thus decoying them to theii" destniction. 



Mr. Cheeseman informed Sir Walter Buller that the Black Petrel 

 also breeds on the coast ranges north of Manukau and on the Cape 

 Colville Peninsula, also on the small islets off the eastern shore. 



I cannot do better tlian quote Mr. A. Reischek's original and 

 interesting obsei-vations — which were extended over many seasons — 

 on the Black, or, as he calls it, the Brown Petrel ^Procellaria j^arJcin- 

 ■wni). He states: "These birds are found roiuid the coast of New 

 Zealand ; I have seen them over a hundred miles from land, cruising 

 about in a similar manner to, and in company ^ith, the Albatross 

 (Diomedea eTulans), but they never go near enough to a vessel to be 

 caught, nor do thcv pick up the food thrown overboard, as the Albatross 

 does. Tliis Petrel is gi'egarioxis, and I have seen them in large flocks 

 together, resting on the water. Their power of flight is mai-vellous. 

 In July. 1879, outside the Kaipara, on the west coast of North New 

 Zealand, I had an opportunity of obsei-ving these birds, having to lay-bj' 

 outside the bar for several days, being imable to enter, as it was blowing 

 one of the severest gales experienced in these seas. Tliey cruised 

 about, dipping the points of their wings at intei-vals in the water, then 

 suddenly swooping down through the foaming waves for their prey ; 

 rising with the next wave and repeating their former action. From 

 Juh^ to November these birds are alwa3's out at sea. In November 

 they come ashore to their breeding places, on the top of high and steep 

 mountains, which thev choose for the pui^pose of easier flight, as thev 

 have difficultv in ascending from the level ground. 



" They are expert climbers : I saw them, bv the aid of their shar]> 

 claws, their bills and wings, climbing up trees out of the perpendicular, 

 from whence they flew away. In November, 1882, on the eastern 

 slope, and near the centre of the Little Barrier or Hauturu Island, 

 situated north of Auckland, at about 2,300 feet above sea-level, on a 

 steep precipitous ridgo. I noticed my dog repeatedly setting at burrows, 

 which, on exami'iation, I found contained Prnrellnria parl-insnni ; they 

 wore cleaning out their old bun'ows ; and staving to observe, I noticed 

 them digging with their bills, removing the earth by a backward motion 

 of their feet, till the burrow was cleansed. In most cases I foimd them 

 working, in others the bun'ows were clean and the refuse outside, some 

 bun-ows in loose soil, others imder the roots of trees and imdcr stones, 

 also in hollow trees. I have found them sometimes verv far inland, 

 always on the tops of mountains. 



"In December, 1884, on the Waitakerei Ranges, 1,000 feet above 

 sea-level, and twelve miles from the ocean, I found the female sitting 



