Birds of Gough Island. 263 



13. [OEstrelata lessoni (Garnot). 



Mr. Comer's collection contained an example from 

 Kergueleu, and he states (Verrill, t. c. pp. 448-464) that 

 this " mutton-bird" was also common at Gough Island. No 

 specimens were, however, obtained there, nor has the bird 

 been recorded from Tristan da Cunha.] 



.1 1. OSSIFRAGA GIGANTEA (Gmclin). 



Many i( Nellies " were observed off the island, and one 

 example, a female, was obtained — a remarkably dark speci- 

 men, without a trace of brown, its plumage being throughout 

 deep slaty grey, each feather (except the remiges, the greater 

 wing-coverts, and the tail) terminally or subterminally 

 margined with a slightly paler tint. 



The Giant Petrel breeds at Gough Island, where Mr. Comer 

 (Verrill, /. c. pp. 447—8 & 464) says that it is not numerous 

 and commences to lay at the middle of September. He 

 tells as that it enters the Penguin " rookeries " and carries 

 off the young to eat, and also pulls birds [Petrels] out of 

 holes in the ground. This destructive species also breeds 

 at Tristan da Cunha. 



15. Priox vittatus (Gmelin). 



There is only one specimen in the collection, and this is 

 seemingly a large example, for the wing measures 87 inches. 

 The lower plate of the mandible was pale blue, and the 

 remainder of the bill black. Tarsus and toes cobalt-blue, 

 webs black. 



Great numbers of "Blue Petrels or Whale-birds " were 

 also seen, and other specimens which were shot were carried 

 off by Skuas ere they could be picked up from the water. 



This Prion has not a place in Verrill's list for Gough 

 Island; but as " Procellaria vittata" it is included in the 

 Ornis of Tristan by Carmichael (t. c. p. 497), and Wyville 

 Thomson (t. c. p. 177) mentions it as a breeding-species on 

 Inaccessible Island. 



16. [Prion desolatus (Gmelin). 



Mr. Comer obtained skins of this bird at Kerguelen and 

 remarks (Verrill, t. c. p. 449) that it is also found at Gough 



t 2 



