164 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 



Nest. — A buiTow driven obliquely into the ground for 2 to 5 feet. 



Eggs. — Clutch one; oval in shape; texture somewhat coarse; 

 surface slightly glossy and minutely pitted ; colour pure white. 

 Dimensions in mm. of odd examples : — (1) 62 x 39, (2) 60 x 40. 



Breeding Season. — November and December. 



Geographical Distribution. — Seas of Tasmania, Australia, New 

 Zealand, and northwards to the Society Islands; there are also 

 a few records for the Indian Ocean. 



Observations. — The Wedge-tailed Petrel closely resembles the 

 familiar Sooty Petrel or "Mutton-Bird." It breeds on several 

 islands off Australia, but to the best of my knowledge has not been 

 recorded from any of the Tasmanian islands in Bass Strait. 



Of this species on Rat Island, Mr. A. J. Campbell records: — 

 ' ' About half an hour after sundown they commence moaning 

 and get uneasy in their burrows, and shortly afterwards birds may 

 be seen swiftly cutting the air in many directions. The moaning 

 and infant-like cries of the Wedge-tailed Petrel are a curious 

 experience. After a ramble one quiet night I noted in my pocket- 

 book next morning that the whole island seemed groaning and 

 travailing in pain with the noise of Mutton-Birds. About half 

 an hour before sunrise they disappear underground, when all is 

 quiet as far as they are concerned. The attitude of this Petrel 

 upon the ground resembles a Duck upon water — a squatting 

 posture. When walking they are assisted by their wings, which 

 gives the birds a waddling or lame gait. The eggs, like those of the 

 Noddies and other birds, are excellent eating, not at all fishy in 

 flavour, as may be supposed." 



ALLIED PETREL 



{Puffinus aissimilis, Gould). 



Male. — Upper surface, including head, slaty-brown to black; 

 tail black; quills black; sides of the face and cheeks white; sides 

 of the neck mottled black on white; entire under surface pure 

 white; "bill dark horn colour; tarsi and toes greenish-yellow, 

 webs yellowish-orange " (Gould). The colours of the bill and feet 

 have been variously described by different authors. Sir W. Duller 

 (Hauraki Gulf) describes them as " bill bluish-black; feet greenish- 

 grey, with yellow interdigital webs, marked with black on the 

 outer edge." Specimens procured by the Scotia Expedition from 

 Gough Island had "basal half of bill blue, distal part and nasal 

 tubes black ; front of tarsus and toes greyish-blue ; posterior 

 portion of tarsus and sides of toes black ; webs yellowish." Dimen- 

 sions in mm. : — Average length, 270; bill, 24; wing, 184; tail, 65; 

 tarsus, 38. 



Female. — Similar to male. 



Nest. — A rabbit-like burrow, driven obliquely into the ground. 



Eggs.— Clutch one; broad oval in shape: texture of shell some- 



