OSSIFRAGA GIGANTEA. 26 



single large egg found ; but, of course, tbe evidence is not absolute that 

 these two birds bad paired, altbougb found so near togetber. 



Altbougb I bave often observed the dusky albatross sailing along very 

 close to tbe surface of tbe water, or circling around rocky bill-tops, I 

 bave never seen it feed, except in captivity. Tben botb birds ate freely 

 of fresb meat. The peculiar call (which can be beard for a very long 

 distance) is most often giY^en by the setting bird, and answered by its 

 mate flying near by. Tbe egg is single, white, and very long in propor- 

 tion to its thickness. 



November 12, I found another bird on a nest, in a locality similar to 

 that already described. It stared stupidly at me, clattering its beak, 

 and turning its bead from side to side, but making no effort to escape. 

 There was no egg. Tbe narrow line of white feathers above and behind 

 the eyes gives these birds a singular and striking appearance — a sort of 

 wide-eyed, amazed air, that distinguishes them markedly from other 

 birds. The white feathers are very minute, but quite perfect. 



The nest found November 12 was shortly after abandoned by tbe sit- 

 ting bird, apparently because it had been disturbed. Another bird was 

 found sitting on an egg on November 22, high in the rocks, and some 

 four miles inland. Neither of these specimens was preserved. Nos. 85 

 and 86 are the embryo, and the egg from which it was taken, found 

 November 21, kindly given me by Mr. Stanley, who captured the adult 

 at the same time. 



OSSIFRAGA GIGANTEA, (Gm.) Reich. 



QUEBEANTEHUESOS. — BONE-BREAKEE. — "NELLY." 



Procellaria gigantea, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i, 1788, p. 563. 

 Ossifraga gigantea, Reichexbach, Syst. Av. pi. 20, f. 332. 

 Bonaparte, Consp. Av. ii, 1855, p. 186. 

 COUES, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1866, p. 32. 

 Procellaria ossifraga, Forster, Descr. An., ed. Licht. 1844, p. 343. 



— C. 

 List of sjiecimens, with measurements. 



