16 



NATURAL HISTORY OF KERGUELEN ISLAND. 



A young bird taken December 13, and much resembling that of (E. 

 lessoni, but far less advanced tbau the latter at that date, was then 

 attributed to this species, although, the old bird not having been taken 

 at the same time, the evidence was not positive. It made no sound 

 when taken from its burrow. Subsequent examination of the specimen 

 fully confirms this surmise. The bird is still covered with pale slaty 

 down; but the shape of the bill, and especially its narrowness from base 

 to tip, taken in connection with the dates, place the identification beyond 

 a reasonable doubt. 



OCEANITES OCEANIC A, {Kuhl) CoueS. (p. 30.) 



Nests under rocks, usually on pretty high laud, laying a single white 

 efig. There are no eggs in the collection ; but one was found by Eev. 

 Mr. Eaton, of the English party, on Tliumb Mountain, some fifteen miles 

 from the American station, December 8. 



Pkocellaria nereis, {Gould) Bp. (p. 31.) 



Nests under tufts of grass, or other low herbage, near the sea. Some- 

 times it digs a small burrow; oftener the eggs are found simply covered 

 by overhanging grass-stems, in low land. The egg is single, compact in 

 structure, smooth, and very fragile, ellipsoidal in form, and white, except- 

 ing at the larger end, which is marked by a collection of small reddish 

 spots interspersed with a few specks of very dark brown. If we are 

 correct in our impression that the markings about the butts of these 

 eggs are not adventitious, we have here an exception to the general rule 

 that the Procellariidw lay white eggs. In size, shape, and coloration, 

 the egg recalls some of the least-spotted examples of that of the com- 

 mon Meadow Lark {SturneUa magna). By akl of the lens are to be seen 

 a few pore-like punctations, widely scattei^ed. 



The measurements are as follows: — 



We have no information concerning the young of this species, none 

 having been hatched at the time of breaking up the American station 

 (January 11). 



PsEUDOPRioN desolatus, {Gm.) Gray. (p. 32.) 



Nests in the same localities and has the same habits as Halohccna 

 ccerulca (q. v.). 



