184 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 



*FAIRY DOVE-PRION 



(Prion ariel, Gould). 



Male. — " Similar iu colour to the other species of Prion, but 

 with a pale crown, hardly differing from the tint of the back ; the 

 spot below the eye also paler and less conspicuous; the terminal 

 dark band of the tail wider; the bill much narrower and more 

 compressed, though the unguis is as large as those of the other 

 species; the sides of the mandibles are nearly straight, and the 

 lamellae feebly developed and quite invisible when the bill is 

 closed" (B. M. Cat.) 



Female. — Similar to male. 



Nest. — A small burrow underground or in a crevice of a rock. 



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

 surface without gloss; colour pure white. Dimensions in mm. : — 

 43 X 32. 



Breeding Season. — October and November. 



Geographical Distribution. — Seas of Tasmania, eastern and 

 southern coasts of Australia, New Zealand, and Southern Ocean 

 in general. 



Observations. — Of the various species of Prion frequenting the 

 coasts of Tasmania, this one is the most often seen. Among 

 other localities, it breeds on several islets in Bass Strait. 



Very little is known regarding the habits of the Fairy Dove- 

 Petrel, but what is known goes to show that it closely resembles 

 the other members of the genus in its natural economy. 



FAMILY— PELECANOIDID/E (1 species). 



*DIVING-PETREL 



(Pelecajioides urinatrix, Gmelin). 



Male. — " Crown and sides of the head, hind-neck, and all the 

 upper surface shining steel-black; the forehead tinged with brown, 

 the sides of the neck dusky, and the scapulars touched with white; 

 throat, fore-neck, and all the under parts pure white; the sides 

 of the body and flanks sometimes stained with grey. Irides and bill 

 black; legs and feet cobalt, tinged with green, the webs bluish- 

 white" (BuUer). Dimensions in mm.: — Length, 240; bill, 20; 

 wing, 140; tail, 50; tarsus, 25. 



Feviale. — Similar to male. 



Nest. — A short burrow underground or in a crevice in a rock. 



Eggs. — Clutch one; roundish oval in shape; texture fairly 

 fine: surface without gloss and minutely pitted; colour pure white. 

 Dimensions in mm. : — 38 x 30. 



Breeding Seaso7i. — July and August in some localities; 

 October and November in others. 



