NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. g2C) 



694. — 'Ihalassoqeron cautus, Gould. — (fi)S) 

 WHITE-CAPPED ALBATROSS. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii., pi. 40. 

 Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxv., p. 449. 

 I'revious Description of Eggs. — Le Souef : Ibis, p. 41b (1S95). 



(J-'dyraphical Dii>trihufinn. — Seas of South Queensland, New South 

 Wales, Victoria^ Soutii and \\'est Australia and Tasmania. 



Xest. — Composed of chocolate-coloiu-ed soil, much mixed when in a 

 wet state with rootlets and other vegetation, which gives it the appear- 

 ance of peaty substance. It is smooth, and holds together fairly well, 

 varying in height, externally, from 3 to 7 inches. Dimensions in 

 inches of an average nest : external, diameter at base, 16i ; at lop 14 ; 

 height, 5|; e^g cavity, 11^ across by 3^ deep (Le Souef). 



Eggs.— Clutch, one; elliptical in shape, others are more compressed 

 at one end ; texture of shell coai-se and somewhat strong ; surface rough 

 and without gloss; coloiu', dust-white, with a wash or freckled band of 

 reddish-brown or chestnut roimd or upon the apex. Dimensions in 

 inches of selected examples : (1) 4'25 x 2-75- -weight, 9i ozs., (2) 4'25 x 2-5 

 —weight, 8| ozs., (3) 4-13 x 2-62— weight, S^; ozs.," (4) 4-0 x 2-63— 

 weight, 9 ozs., (5) 3-83 x 2-62— weight, 8^- ozs., (6) 3-75 x 2-75— weight, 

 6 1 ozs. 



Ohservations. — Tlie Wliite-capped Albatross frequents the seas of the 

 southern part of Austraha and Tasmania. 



Tlie first record we have of this bird, although not then scientifically 

 named, was in the days of Bass and Flinders, diuing their historical 

 voyage of discovery roimd Tasmania. it was the 9tli December, 1798 — 

 the very day when the two intrepid explorers, seeing the great western 

 swell breaking upon the reefs, knew their long wished for discovery was 

 attained, namely, that there was a pa.ssage through the big strait (which 

 was afterwards named in honour of Bass, on the recommendation of his 

 friend Flinders), and therefore Ta.smania (then Van Diemen's Land) 

 was an island. 



Albatross Island — for so it was named by Flinders — is situated ofi 

 the north-western part of Tasmania, and is about two miles long. 



Flinders records : " We had a fine breeze at east, and our covu-se was 

 directed for a small rocky island which lies W. i N. six miles from the 

 nortli point of the barren land. This island appeared to be almost white 

 with birds, and so much excited our curiosity and hope of procuring a 

 supply of food that Mr. Bass went a.shore in the boat, whilst I stood off 

 and awaiting his retimi. 



" Mr. Bass returned at half-past two with a boat load of seals and 

 Albatrosses. He had been obliged to fight his way up the cliffs of the 

 island with the seals, and when arrived at the top, to make a road with 

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