576 



DISCOVERY REPORTS 



O 



observed. If the bill of a fresh specimen is examined it will be found to have a series 



of fine serrations on the inner side of each margin of the maxilla, which overlaps the 



mandible of each side when the bill is closed. The skin between the rami of the mandibles 



is naked and thrown into folds and can be 



depressed to form a small pouch. The whole 



apparatus is very similar to the beak of the 



Whale Birds {Prion), ^ though not so highly 



developed (Figs. 2, 3). In feeding, the minute 



particles are hooked up by the tip of the 



maxilla, with a few drops of water, in rapid 



succession into the mouth, and the pouch is 



quickly expanded and contracted so that the 



water is strained off at the sides of the bill and 



the food particles are retained on the serrations. 



When feeding in this manner the bird keeps 



vigorously paddling to each side with the feet, 



so that it only moves forward slowly and a 



current of water is drawn in towards it from the 



front. 



The Cape Pigeons are very noisy and quarrel- Fig. 2. Daptioncapetnis. Head showing throat 

 some birds when feeding, keeping up an incessant P""*^'' expanded and contracted. 



chattering with their harsh shrill cries night and day at the whaling stations. When 

 swimming they float high on the water and paddle about with the tail cocked up. 

 They are very rarely seen on the land, though they may often be seen sitting 

 in numbers on ice floes or steep snow banks 

 over the sea. When sitting the tarsus is kept on 

 the ground and in walking it is only raised a 

 little from the horizontal, while a few awkward 

 steps are taken with the wings partly spread. 

 The birds are unable to rise from calm water 

 without running some way on the surface first, 

 but at sea with a breeze they can spring into the ^jg 3 ^^^;.„„ ,^^,^., Upper and under 

 airfromthecrest of a wave. In the harbours they sides of head, the latter showing the pouch 

 are often seen in flocks, all washing themselves at between the rami of the mandibles. 

 the same time. The head is dipped under while the wings are partly spread, so that the 

 water runs up on to the front part of the back and is thrown back over the tail when 

 the head bobs up again. 



The bill, feet and legs are black, and there are light patches on the inner sides of the 

 inner and middle toes. The iris is dark brown. 



^ See Wilson, E. A., Report of the National Antarctic Expedition, 1901-4, Vol. 11. Zoology, Pt n. Aves, 

 p. 105. 



