26 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. 79 



DIOMEDEA IRRORATA Salvin 



Galapagos albatross 



Diomedea irrorata Salvin, Proc. Zooi. Soc. London, 1883, p. 430. (Callao 

 Bay, Peru.) 



The albatross rookery on Hood Island, Galapagos group, was 

 visited on two occasions, June 30 and July 11, and numerous photo- 

 graphs were taken of the birds in various positions. (PI. 6.) 



The nest, if we may designate as such the bare spot on which the 

 Qgg was deposited, was placed in an open area between scattered 

 shrubbery. Probably in most cases there were not more than half 

 a dozen nests to an acre. It was difficult to estimate the total num- 

 ber, as only a few could be seen from any given point. 



On the earlier trip eggs predominated, while on July 11 young 

 were in evidence, some, although still in the down, being of good size. 

 In the aggregate a considerable number of abandoned addled eggs 

 were scattered over the rookery area. During the heat of the day 

 numbers of the birds retired to the shade of the bushes, but many of 

 the males remained close to their mates on the egg or young. In some 

 of the more open places near shore boobies were often nesting in 

 close proximity to the albatrosses. 



The albatrosses were tame, easily approached, and even easily han- 

 dled, though after a few minutes the males usually waddled away 

 with an awkward gait. The birds when first approached frequently 

 elevated their " eyebrows," which gave them a queer expression. 



The nuptial dance was occasionally seen and differed very mate- 

 rially in detail from that of the Laysan albatross as noted by Dr. 

 Walter K. Fisher in 1902.^^ 



The birds on the nests showed no resentment when lizards or small 

 birds came within reach of them. One bird was taken to the yacht, 

 and when liberated fluttered clumsily to the water, whence later it 

 took wing in the direction of home. 



Except near the rookery comparatively few albatrosses were seen 

 flying over the ocean. 



PUFFINUS LHERMINIERI SUBALARIS Ridgway 



Galapagos shearwater 



Pufflnus subalaris Ridgway, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 19, 1897, p. 650. (Dal- 

 rymple Rock, Chatham Island, Galapagos.) 



Six adult birds were obtained in the Galapagos Islands as follows : 

 Tower Island, June 15 and 16, 1929, two males and one female; 



" U. S. Fish Commission Bull., 1906, vol. 23, for 1903, pt. 3, p. 787 (p. 19 of extract — 

 Birds of Laysan and the Leeward Islands, Hawaiian group — 1903). 



