MANX SHEARWATER. 
120 
Both birds sit, and that so closely, as to allow themselves 
to be taken in the hand. 
They seem to be very variable in the time of laying, from 
the end of May to the end of June. 
The nest is at most and best but a slight collection of 
fern leaves and withered stems of other plants: frequently 
none is formed, but the sand alone suffices the bird. 
Only one egg is produced; it is large in size in proportion 
to the bulk of the bird, perfectly white, and of an oval 
form, but both ends obtuse. 
Male; weight, seventeen ounces; length, one foot two to 
one foot three inches. The bill, which is furrowed above 
with a double tube, is blackish brown, tho base lighter 
coloured and of a yellowish brown tint, the tips of both 
mandibles much hooked downwards; iris, dark brown. Head 
on the sides and crown, neck on the back, and nape, dusky 
brownish black, with a slight tinge of grey and a glossy 
lustre, the sides of the neck mottled with grey and white. 
Chin, throat, and breast, white, below on the latter behind 
the legs is a brownish black streak. Back, dusky brownish 
black, with a slight tinge of grey, and a glossy lustre. 
The wings, when closed, reach nearly to the end of the 
tail: they expand to the width of two feet seven inches. 
Greater and lesser under wing coverts, white; primaries, 
black; tail, brownish black; under tail coverts, white. Legs, 
brown behind, in front dull yellowish red; they are laterally 
compressed; the outer toe brown, the remainder dull yel¬ 
lowish red; the webs rayed with brown. 
The young bird is at first covered with greyish black 
down, except a stripe along the centre of the breast, which 
is white. 
In the bird of the first year the breast is of a deep ash 
grey, the upper plumage dusky brown, which becomes by 
degrees darker. 
VOL. VIII. 
K 
