1SS7.] Lucas, Notes of a Bird Catcher. ? 



could have been no other than this species. These were not 

 young of the year but sooty colored, like a vastly exaggerated 

 Giant Fulmar. Unfortunately I did not improve my opportu- 

 nities to observe the food of the Albatross, but the stomachs of 

 two that were opened contained partially digested fragments of 

 cuttlefish (?) and a small quantity of feathers. 



They have been seen to devour the castaway body of a com- 

 panion that had been caught and skinned, and to tear up and eat 

 a large ling (Ffaloporphyrus) . Doubtless anything that can be 

 eaten does not come amiss. 



The farthest north I have any personal record of seeing the 

 Wandering Albatross is 30 S., 24° VV. 



The Molly-Hawk, or Molly-Mavvk (Diomcdea mclanop/irys), 

 and the Goney (Z>. culmiuata) are more easily taken than their 

 larger relative, but the Sooty Albatross {Phccbctria fuliguiosa) 

 — in the ordinary track of vessels at least — is wary in the ex- 

 treme, and, although it will approach so near that the eye is dis- 

 tinctly visible, steadily refuses to even look at a bait. Dio- 

 medca mela/iophrys was seen occasionally in the harbor of 

 Valparaiso. 



Most knowing of all Petrels is the Cape Hen, or Giant Fulmar 

 (Ossifraga gigantea). If a loose piece of fat pork was thrown 

 out, it was immediately snatched up, but even during heavy gales 

 it was quite impossible for me to coax one to touch a piece with 

 hook and line attached. Where the tempting morsel was large the 

 Cape Hen would indeed swoop towards it as if about to alight, 

 but caution invariably got the better of appetite, and I am ready 

 to take oath that these birds actually winked as they sailed by. 

 In its movements, and especially when alighting, the Giant Ful- 

 mar has an uncouth, angular look about it that is very amusing. 

 The species not uncommonly ranges as far north as 12 south 

 latitude, for several were seen and two shot at the Chincha Islands 

 during the month of November. One perfect albino was seen, 

 presenting a strange contrast to the others by which it was 

 accompanied. 



Majaqueus cequiiioctialis is apparently not common off Cape 

 Horn and of the few seen fewer «6till could be induced to take a 

 hook. Those that did so invariably escaped by reversing the 

 tactics of the Albatross and flying towards the ship instead of in- 

 dulging in worse than useless opposition. It being simply 



