NATAT0RE8. 393 



the mainland, extensive flats at the entrances of large rivers 

 and all similar situations. I never observed it breeding in 

 company, and seldom met with more than a pair on an 

 island, unless it was one of considerable extent. It lays two 

 eggs on the bare ground, often within a very short distance 

 of the water's edge. No bird watches its eggs with greater 

 assiduity, or defends them with greater courage, and woe 

 betides the unlucky Gull or other natural enemy that may 

 wander within the precincts of its breeding-place. I could 

 always discover its eggs by the clamorous, cackling, screeching 

 note which it constantly utters while flying over the place 

 where they were deposited. The breeding-season comprises 

 the months of August, September, and October, during 

 which period the crown of the head is of a deep black hue, 

 which gives place to a spotted appearance at other seasons. 

 Both sexes are subject to precisely the same changes, and so 

 much are they alike, that it is only by the somewhat smaller size 

 of the female that they can be distinguished. The extensive 

 development of the wings gives this fine species immense 

 powers of flight ; it also plunges into the water with the 

 greatest impetuosity, and brings from beneath the surface 

 fishes of a very considerable size. 



The eggs are of a stone-colour, marked all over with large 

 and small blotches of umber-brown, a great portion of which 

 appear as if beneath the surface of the shell ; they are about 

 two inches and five-eighths long by one inch and three- 

 quarters broad. 



Forehead, crown, and nape deep glossy black ; back, wings, 

 and tail pale ashy grey, becoming fighter on the tail and 

 deepening into dark grey on the primaries, the shafts of which 

 are white ; remainder of the plumage pure white ; irides black ; 

 bill scarlet, stained with yellow on the sides and tip. 



Total length 20-^ inches ; bill 4 ; wing IG^ ; tail 6^ ; tarsi 2. 



