5.20 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



also resorted to by the " Mutton Bird " (Nedris brevicaiidus), 

 both species appearing to breed in perfect harmony. 



From what I personally observed while residing on the 

 breeding-islands of this bird, the task of incubation would 

 seem to be mutually performed by both sexes, each regularly 

 relieving the other during the night. 



The eggs are either deposited in a depression of the surface 

 of the ground, or in a slanting hole of moderate depth ; they 

 are two in number, and of a small size compared with the 

 dimensions and weight of the bird; they are white, two 

 inches and a half long and two inches broad. 



From their incapacity for running and their total inability 

 to fly, the parent birds are very easily captured, and when 

 taken with the hand offer no other resistance than a smart peck 

 with the bill. The young, until they are nearly as large as 

 the adult, are covered with a thick coating of long down, which 

 is suddenly thrown off and replaced by short stiff feathers, 

 which become perfectly developed before the bird ventures 

 upon the sea. 



The note is hoarse and discordant, almost as loud and 

 somewhat resembling the barking of a dog. 



There is no external difference observable in the sexes, 

 which may be thus described : — 



The feathers of the upper surface light blue, with a fine 

 black line down the centre of each ; the whole of the under 

 surface silvery white ; eyes flat ; irides pale buffy white, with 

 a net-work of dark brown round the outer margin, and with 

 a fine ring of the same colour near the pupil, giving the 

 appearance of a double iris ; bill horn-colour, deepening into 

 slaty black on the culmen and tip ; feet yellowish white ; 

 nails black. 



