lyo PATAGONIAN EXPEDITIONS: ZOOLOGY. 



On page 254 he says: "We seldom saw birds on the icebergs, but a 

 flock of Cape pigeons was sometimes seen, roosting on the top of one. 

 The Great White Albatross [Diomedca exitlans) accompanied the ship 

 only about 500 miles south of Heard Island, stopping at more than 200 

 miles from the edge of the pack." 



"Nests are on tall mounds, built up of grass to the height of two or 

 more feet from the ground, and, being of different heights, seem to have 

 been used again and added to year after year. The ^<gg is single, ellipti- 

 cal in longitudinal section, and but slightly thicker at the large than at 

 the small end. Only occasional specimens tend somewhat to the ovoid 

 form. The shell is white, of loose granular texture and roughly mam- 

 millated surface. There are no markings beneath the superficial calcare- 

 ous layer, and the spots which appear on this seem to be adventitious 

 stains from the secretions of the oviduct, or accidental soiling after extru- 

 sion. Some specimens show a reddish stain upon the larger end, prob- 

 ably dried blood, since it readily washed off" (Natural History of Ker- 

 guelen Island, J. H. Kidder, M.D., Bull. No. 3, U. S. Nat. Mus. p. 11, 

 1876.) 



Northerly from Dungeness Spit. "A magnificent albatross was soar- 

 ing about at a short distance astern for some time in the afternoon, and 

 was knocked over, but unfortunately not picked up. All those who have 

 watched these splendid birds must have been struck with the marvellous 

 nature of their flight, as they may often be seen sailing about for more 

 than an hour at a time without any apparent movement of their long nar- 

 row wings, and will, I doubt not, agree with a well-known ornithological 

 observer. Captain Hutton, who has remarked that he has never 'wit- 

 nessed anything to equal the ease and grace of this bird, as he sweeps 

 past, often within a few yards, every part of his body perfectly motionless, 

 except the head and eye, which turn slowly, and seem to take notice of 

 everything.' A good deal of discussion has arisen as to the method by 

 which this sailing flight is maintained, and perhaps the question can 

 hardly be considered as fairly settled. Dr. Pettigrew has observed, in 

 his interesting and valuable memoir. On the Mechanism of Flight, that in 

 sailing or gliding birds "the pinion acts as a long lever, and is wielded 

 with precision and power, particularly at the shoulder." 



And further, that a careful examination of the movements of skimming 

 birds has led him to conclude : 



