268 Dr. W. M. Crovvl'oot on the Bvetdhuj-ltah'ils 



buff. They have underlying markings of a grey colour^ and 

 are streaked and blotched with light and dark brown. They 

 somewhat resemble in colour some varieties of the eggs of 

 the Stone-Curlew. 



Phaeton rubricauda (Bodd.) . The Tropic-bird. 



This bird breeds on Norfolk Island, Nepean Island, and 

 Philip Island, but the last-mentioned island is its principal 

 resort, and here it may be counted by hundreds. It lays its 

 single egg on ledges of rock^ in cracks of the cliffs, under 

 overhanging boulders, and in such-like situations. The bird 

 defends its egg with its strong beak, and may be easily caught 

 on the nest. On Norfolk Island the eggs are difficult to get, 

 but on Philip Island they may be readily obtained. The 

 young Tropic-bird is a curious-looking object, being com- 

 pletely covered with thick snow-white down. The eggs vary 

 in length from 2*65 inches to 2*85, and in breadth from 1*75 

 inches to 2*16. They have a reddish-brown ground-colour, 

 and are covered all over with fine dark reddish and violet- 

 brown markings. Some have the colouring-matter appa- 

 rently partially washed off. 



PUFFINUS SPHENURUS, Gould. 



This Petrel, called by the Norfolk-Islanders ''Mutton- 

 bird" or "Ghost-bird," from its child-like cry at night, lays 

 its egg on Norfolk, Philip, and Nepean Islands. Its breeding- 

 period extends over a considerable time. I have seen young 

 birds nearly fledged on the 27tli of October, and have obtained 

 fresh eggs on the 15tli of January. This bird digs out a 

 hole in the soft soil on the faces of the cliffs, also in the sand 

 on flat ground. Some of the burrows are six feet and more 

 in length. The bird also lays extensively on Philip Island in 

 shallow recesses under overhanging boulders and in colonies, 

 I. e. many may be found close together. On Norfolk Island 

 its holes are always isolated and the burrows deep. One egg 

 only is laid. Both bird and egg have a very strong peculiar 

 smell, and I can usually tell a fresh hole from an old one by 

 the smell of the entrance. There is no nest. The eggs, 

 which arc pure white, vary from 2'5 inches to 2*75 in length. 



