574 DISCOVERY REPORTS 



overhangs the mouth. They are four to six feet deep, and are wider at the entrance 

 than a foot or so in, where they are about six inches in diameter. At the end there 

 is a circular chamber about a foot in diameter containing the nest. This is made of 

 mud and tussac roots, with a few blades of the grass. It is circular and only raised an 

 inch or so above the general level, but is higher at the circumference, between which 

 and the sides of the chamber there is a narrow gutter. When first occupied in the 

 season the ground is frozen and the floor of the burrow consists of ice. As the season 

 advances the ground thaws and the floor of the burrow and the nest become extremely 

 wet and muddy, making the birds and the egg very dirty. 



At the beginning of November, 1925, a Cape Hen was observed digging its burrow 

 in the ground above the cliflFs at North Bay in Ice Fjord. It was using the beak as 

 a pick for digging out the soil and it then scratched the loose earth out of the burrow 

 by scraping it back between the legs with the feet. The digging was done in short 

 spells ; in the intervals the bird sat down on the tussac outside the burrow and preened 

 the feathers, frequently uttering its chattering note. It also made a lower harsher note, 

 holding the beak pointing upwards and vibrating it rapidly. This note was not heard 

 on any other occasion. 



The single white egg is laid about half way through November ; the writer has not 

 seen the young in down: a burrow dug out in February, 1926, held two old birds only. 



If the birds are dug out of their burrows they are quite tame and make no eff'ort to 

 get away, but if handled they make good use of the beak and claws, inflicting severe 

 scratches. Unless they are chased, when they take to the wing, they waddle about 

 among the tussac and soon go back to the burrow. In the writer's opinion these birds 

 have a courting ceremony somewhat similar to that of their relatives, the albatrosses. 

 If a burrow is dug out so far that the sitting bird can be reached by thrusting the arm 

 down, the bird does not at first bite. The outstretched hand is felt to be gently touched 

 by the bird's bill, in a way similar to the " fencing " of the Black-Browed and Grey-Headed 

 Albatrosses. This is followed by a gentle nibbling, and it is not until one seizes the bird 

 and it realizes that it is not its mate that is entering the burrow, that it starts biting 

 and scratching. 



The colouring of the soft parts is as follows : bill yellowish grey ; a small area in front 

 of the openings of the nostrils, and the tip, dark grey. Feet and legs black, with 

 yellowish centres to the webs. Iris very dark brown (Plate XLV, figs. 5 and 6). 



The stomachs of those examined contained cephalopod beaks only. 



Priocella glacialoides, Smith 



Silver Grey Petrel 



(Plate XLV, figs. 7, 8) 



This bird is not common in South Georgian waters, though single specimens are 

 seen fairly often. It does not breed on the island, but the writer thinks it likely that it 



