^°i92^i^'] FERGUSOX, Xotcs on Australian Tubinarcs. 105 



mantit. over a course previously traversed on two occasions 

 ( Septenibcr. IQ15. March, 1916), without seeing hardly a single 

 Petrel. On this occasion, Petrels became numerous when near- 

 ing the Australian coast, and their record may have some bearing 

 on the question' of seasonal distribution. We left Colombo on 

 the night of the 14th May. and from thence until the 25th May 

 few birds were seen beyond a few Gannets and Tropic-birds, and 

 near Ceylon a black Shearwater, presumably the Wedge-tailed 

 Shearwater (Pitffinis pacificus). On the 25th May, we were 

 at noon 2425 miles from Colombo, and 700 from Frcmantle. 

 Petrels were first observed, the species seen was provisionally 

 identified as the Soft-plumaged Petrel (Pterodro)na mollis). On 

 the 2ntli similar birds were numerous. The description given 

 in my notes is as follows : — Petrel, brownish grey above, darker 

 on wings, underwings dark, dark bill, white under-surface. dark 

 patch on neck, white cheeks and lores. ? — P. mollis. Among 

 these was a bird resembling the general description given above, 

 but the wings had darker markings, much as in a Prion, and the 

 tip of the tail was definitely white; this bird suggested Halo- 

 bicna cccridea — the Blue Petrel. Prions were also seen, as 

 well as one White-headed Petrel {P. Icssoni), and a black Petrel. 

 27th May : One White-headed Petrel was seen, and several 

 Petrels resembling those seen yesterday ; in one a white tip to the 

 tail was made out ; in others no white tip could be seen. An 

 immature specimen of the Wandering Albatross ( Dionicdca 

 e.x'ulans) was seen for the first time, as well as two species of 

 Mollyhawks, probably the Rlack-browed (D. melanophrys) and 

 the Vcllow-nosed (D. chlororhyncluis). During the afternoon 

 numerous birds were seen, including (1) Prions, (2) a Petrel, 

 resemliling those seen previously, but darker on wings, body 

 above dark grey, no white seen on tail, forehead apparently 

 whitish; (3) a small Petrel, black above, white beneath, flies 

 close to water, sometimes sailing, at others with quick fluttering 

 flight. This was provisionally identified as the Allied Petrel 

 (Pitffiints assiinilis). 28th Mav : Birds seen included Yellow - 

 nosed Albatross, Prions, a black Shearwater ( ? P. pacificus), 

 and a moderately large Petrel, resembling the one seen the pre- 

 vious day. My notes give dark grey hack, darker on wings, 

 underwings whitish in some lights, greyish in others, white under- 

 sr.rface with dark patch on the neck, forehead whitish. This 

 bird was not identified. I reproduce the notes to show how 

 nuich detail can be distinguished without an identification being 

 arrived at. Rottnest Island was sighted that afternoon. 



A recent trip in a small steamer from Port Maccjuarie to Syd- 

 ney (September i6th, 1920) afforded me an opportunity of 

 studying the species, jiarticularlv of Albatrosses that occur on 

 tlie Xew South Wales coast during that season of the vear. The 

 stretch of coast between Port Macquarie and Seal Rocks was 

 traversed in daylight, and the following species were seen there : — 



