140 



THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



BROODING ALBATROSSES 



Scattered along the cliffs in various places there must have 

 been some 400 nests of these birds. The nests were raised 

 structures of earth intertwined with roots and grass, varying in 

 height, according to age, from 6 inches to a foot. The concavity 

 is about 12 inches diameter and 5 inches deep. They are 

 placed directly on the rock, and are evidently used for a great 

 number of years. In the decayed interior of the nest two species 

 of earthworms were discovered, which Professor Spencer is 

 disposed to regard as new. Most of the nests contained a single 

 young bird, clothed in white down and with a black beak, but in 

 a few the single egg had not yet hatched. The egg is about 4 

 inches long by 2^ inches wide, of a creamy white colour, and 

 marked at the larger end with red surface spots, in some cases 

 forming a well-defined zone, in others evenly distributed. Both 

 birds share in the task of incubation, and the sexes are indis- 

 tinguishable. They sit very close on the nest, and we found it 

 necessary to catch the bird by the bill with one hand while the 

 egg was abstracted with the other. In endeavouring to alight the 

 birds were often unsuccessful, and had to soar away and come 

 up against the wind for another try. 



When a bird wishes to go to the edge of the cliff to fly away it 

 has to run the gauntlet of the sitting birds, which cackle and peck 

 at it viciously. It stretches out its neck, cackling in return, as 

 much as to say " Let me pass." The cock bird is very affectionate, 

 spreading his tail and preening the feathers of his mate lovingly. 

 When irritated the birds will disgorge an oily-looking fluid at an 

 intruder, at the same time separating the feathers of the head so 

 as to show an orange membrane running along the cheek from 

 the base of the mandibles, giving it a more formidable appearance. 

 When being fed the young put their heads right inside the bills 

 of their parents, who then disgorge their food. In one place, 



