SOLA. 



349 



correctly, points so necessary to be observed that I trust all future collectors will not fail to note 

 them. Specimens in every stage of plumage were procured, from the uniform dull brown of 

 the first year to the pure white of the adult, and Mr. MacGillivray observed that the colouring 

 of the bill and soft parts also varies with the individual ; in the first stage the bill is of a delicate 

 bluish-pink, the pink tint predominating at the base of the upper mandible, the bare patch about 

 the eye of a dull leaden-blue, and the pouch fiesh coloured ; in the second the colouring of these 

 parts is similar, but somewhat brighter, and this gradually gives place to the colourin^g shown 

 in the foremost figure of the plate." 



From Broken Hill, South-western New South Wales, Dr. W. Macgillivray wrote ;— " I did 

 not see Si:ld piscatnx during my trip to North-eastern Queensland, in 1910, until we were lying 

 behind the Barrier l^Ieef, anchored on the coral, waiting for the weather to moderate sufficiently 

 to enable us to go out to Kaine Islet through the opening. The birds of this species which 

 visited us here were in immature plumage, both mature and immature birds, however, joined 

 the crowd of birds winch escorted us to the island, there to blend with the immense c'loud of 

 feathered creatures continually hovering over the place. On the 30th October, igio, we found 

 that this species nested in groups on different parts of the island, choosing the low growing 



perennial shrub, with cordate grey- 

 ish-green lea\es and a yellow 

 mallow-like flower, on which to 

 place their nests, substantial plat- 

 forms of interwoven sticks about 

 ei^ht to twelve inches in diameter, 

 with an inch depression in the 

 centre for their single egg. Only 

 very few birds were sitting on 

 eggs, and these were mostly at an 

 advanced stage of incubation, the 

 great majority having reared their 

 young, most of which were flying, 

 or almost ready to fly. The young 

 are hatched naked and with eyes 

 closed, but have two curious elon- 

 gate tufts of down, one on either side of the occiput and one over each eye; the skin is of a 

 leaden colour, but the bill is much shorter than in the other two species and the mask black ; 

 the feet are of a fleshy tint. The down covering is of a dusky white, the curious head plumes 

 are soon lost, and as the bird grows the mask darkens in colour. The fully feathered young bird 

 is of a uniform dirty light grey, with darker wings, a black mask, and slaty legs with a phikish 

 tinge. We found some adults sitting on nests of the same general colouring as these grown 

 nestlings, but with the pale bluish mask with bright pink edging under the throat and over the 

 eyelirows characteristic of the fully plumaged adult. These were sitting on eggs on the point 

 of hatching, and refused to budge, so that we had a good opportunity of examining and photo- 

 graphing them. This species did not have the same habit as the other two of disgorging the 

 contents of its crop when interfered with." 



Both the foregoing figures are reproduced from photographs taken by Dr. W. Macgillivray 

 on Raine Islet, on the 30th October, igio. 



The nests are built of interwoven sticks, in shrubby bushes, well off the ground, 

 egg is laid for a sitting. 



NK.ST AND EGf; OF BRD-LEGGED GANNET. 



Only one 



The eggs of Siila piscntrix may, as a rule, easily be distinguished from those of the other 

 species of Gannets, especially those of Stila siihi, which they most resemble, by being smaller and 



