of Sea-Birds freqimiimg Norfolk Island &;c. 2G9 



and from 1-5 inch to I 75 in breadth. Some are equally 

 rounded at both ends ; others are much pointed at one 

 end. 



PUFFINUS ASSIMILIS^ Gould. 



Of this bird, the Norfolk-Island name of which is " Lao/^ I 

 know but little. The eggs are white and like those of the 

 Mutton-bird, but smaller. The egg is laid in a recess or 

 shallow hole under an overhanging rock, but always, I believe, 

 on sand. There is no nest, and one egg only is laid. I have 

 seen only three birds of this species, and found one egg 

 myself in a solitary recess on sand under an overhanging 

 rock. The bird was very shy. I believe this species to be 

 scarce here. It breeds on Philip and Nepean Islands and 

 on outstanding rocks. The single egg which I found 

 measures 2*1 inches in length by 1'3 in breadth; it is long 

 and narrow, and more or less pointed at both ends. 



SULA PERSONATA, Gould. 



This Gannet breeds on Nepean and Philip Islands, but not 

 on Norfolk Island. It makes no nest, except that it some- 

 times places a few dry grass-stalks or rushes under its eggs. 

 As a rule the eggs are laid on the ground, and are usually 

 two in number. This is the only sea-bird breeding on these 

 islands that lays more than one egg. 



The Gannet commences laying certainly in the earlier part 

 of October, as I have seen a young bird upwards of a week 

 old on the 27tli of that month. I have also obtained a fresh 

 egg in the first week of January. The young Gaanet is, 

 when fledged, much darker in colour on the wings and back 

 than the parent. The old birds are very tame, and have to 

 be driven off their eggs, but they peck sharply at intruders 

 with their formidable beaks. The eggs vary from 2'5 inches 

 to 2'75 in length, and from 1*75 to 1-9 in breadth. They 

 have a greenish-white ground-colour and chalky-white coat- 

 ing, like those of the Common Gannet, Some specimens are 

 much stained with brown colouring-matter, probably derived 

 from the nest-materials or the soil on Avhich they are laid. 



Other Norfolk-Island birds sent by Mr. Metcalfe, and 



