152 Southern Cross. 



We were unable to get a photo of the nest as it was, on account of 

 the depth and darkness of the cave. But Mr. Bernacchi managed 

 to get some very fine photos, showing the characteristic stratifica- 

 tions of the rocks." 



On the 10th of December, 1899, Mr. Borchgrevink started on 

 his last sledge journey into Eobertson Bay, " principally for the 

 purpose of securing eggs of the different birds." He "secured 

 Pagodroma eggs," and says that the hunt was " arduous, and at 

 times involved diiJicult climbing" (p. 231). 



Mr. Bernacchi gives the following note (p. 226) : — " Towards the 

 end of November a short sledge journey was undertaken to the end 

 of Eobertson Bay, for the purpose of collecting eggs of the Snow 

 Petrels. Travelling on the surface of the bay ice, which had already 

 commenced to break up, and was traversed by huge cracks and open 

 lanes, was difficult work. The surface snow, too, was soft and 

 slushy. A large number of eggs, however, were gathered." On 

 p. 204 he writes : — " The Snow Petrel {Pagodroma nivea) nests high 

 up on the mountain sides of South Victoria Land, in long tunnel-like 

 holes under the large slabs of rock, some being as much as six feet 

 in depth, others only a foot or two. The actual nest is as crude as 

 that of the Skua-Gull. The female sits on the nest long before she 

 lays her single egg ; when the bird is approached in its nest it 

 expectorates a reddish fluid towards the intruder. This fluid has a 

 most obnoxious fishy odour, and no doubt is a very effective means 

 of defence. They are able to eject it to a distance of eight feet, and, 

 if it catches the garments, the smell clings to them for many days 

 after. I believe this method of defence is common to most Petrels. 

 Some dozens of small white eggs were gathered at a height of 800 

 feet above the sea." 



During the voyage of the ' Belgica' Dr. Eacovitza says (p. 17) : 

 " The most faithful of our winged companions was the White or 

 Snow Petrel. It is one of the most graceful little birds possible to 

 see. Its plumage is of a satiny white, purer even than the white of 

 the snow itself. Its eyes are of jet, its bill and feet are black, and its 

 flight is rapid and graceful. It seeks its food, which consists of small 

 marine animals, when skimming over the cracks and channels in 

 the ice. With a sudden plunge it seizes its prey, scarcely rufiiing the 

 water as it does so. Between whiles it makes long excursions 

 over the ice, and nothing can be more pleasing than to see these 

 little white woolly-looking objects disporting themselves over the 

 white pack-ice. 



" But it is better not to make too intimate an acquaintance 



