PROCELLARIIV^. 355 



south-west coast of Africa; and I have observed it between 

 the 26th and 35 th degrees of south latitude. 



It is a most voracious feeder, and hardly any thing 

 comes amiss to it ; but it seems to be especially fond of 

 the abandoned carcasses of whales and seals. 



This species pursues the Greater Shearwater, probably 

 with the view of compelling it to disgorge any prey that 

 it has captured. 



[Mr. Andersson's last collection did not contain a specimen 

 of this Petrel; but Mr. Layard [he. cit.) mentions a white 

 variety of this species as being commonly found in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Walwich Bay. — Ed.] 



408. Diomedea exulans, Linn. Wandering Albatross. 



Diomedea exulans, Gould's Birds of Austi-alia, vol. vii. pi. 38. 

 „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 675. 



The thirtieth degree of south latitude has been 

 assigned as the northern limit of the Great Wandering 

 Albatross ; but I have frequently met with them off the 

 coast two or three degrees further north. They are 

 generally observed at sea from April to October ; during 

 the rest of the year few or none are to be seen — certainly 

 none of the old birds, which retire at that season to 

 their breeding-places at the island of Tristan d'Acunha, 

 Prince Edward's Island, and the south-eastern part of 

 Kerguelen's Land. 



The iris is brown ; the bill yellowish horn-colour, with 

 a pinkish tint here and there, which gradually fades 

 after death ; the legs and toes bluish. 



2 a2 



