BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 177 



Geographical Distribution. — Seas of Tasmania and Australia 

 in general; also among the Fiji Islands and Duke of York Islands. 



Observations. — The White-winged Petrel was discovered by 

 Gould on Cabbage-tree Island, at the mouth of Port Stephen 

 Harbour, in New South Wales, on which island he was informed it 

 bred abundantly. Mr. A. J. Campbell states that it does not do 

 so now. 



" Gould describes it as one of the most beautifully formed 

 species of the genus, and says it is easily distinguished by its white 

 abdomen and under wing coverts, which show to great advantage 

 when the bird is seen on the wing from below ; it seldom, however, 

 rises higher than the vane of the ship " (Godman). 



Sub-Family — Fulmarinae. 



*GIANT PETREL 



(Macronectes gigantea, Gmelin), 



Male. — Head dark brown, slightly mottled with black; back 

 slaty-brown, the feathers having pale brown edges; tail feathers 

 dark brown; wing coverts slaty-brown; quiils blackish-brown. 

 " Throat dull white, mottled with bars of brown on the lower 

 throat" (Godman). Rest of under surface slaty-brown; iris 

 brown; bill pale yellowish horn colour; legs and toes grey, tinged 

 with yellow. Dimensions in mm. : — Length, about 840; bill, 102 ; 

 wing, 535; tail, 197; tarsus, 95. 



Female. — Similar to male. 



Young. — When in down they are light greyish in colour, when 

 fully fledged the feathers are dark brown mottled with white. 



Nest. — A hollow scratched in the ground, in w^hich are placed 

 a few stems of grass. 



Eggs.- — -Clutch one; inclined to oval in shape; texture very 

 coarse and granulated ; surface rough and without gloss ; colour 

 dull white. Dimensions in mm. : — 99 x 65. 



Breeding Season. — September to November. 



Geographical Distribution. — The seas round Tasmania and the 

 most of Australia ; also New Zealand, Southern Ocean in general, 

 ranging as far south as 78 deg. S. lat., and as far north as 30 

 deg. S. lat. 



Observations. — This Giant Petrel, which has a close superficial 

 resemblance to the Sooty Albatross, is a very familiar bird to all 

 those who "go down to the sea in ships." The following quota- 

 tions extracted from the writings of those who have had excep- 

 tional opportunities for observing it in its haunts may not be 

 without interest: — 



Dr. Wilson writes:- — "Of the Giant Petrel, the 'Nellie,' or 

 ' Stink-pot ' — call him which you will — we saw far more in milder 



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