NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 43 



84. Phoebetria fuliginosa (GM.) [703.] 



Sooty Albatross. 



Hab. Oceans of the Southern Hemisphere, northward to the coast of Oregon. 



A great ocean wanderer, more common in the South than in the 

 North Pacific regions. A rare visitor to the coasts of North America. 

 This dusky species breeds on the islands off the coast of China and 

 southward. It nests commonly on the islands that lie southeast of 

 Africa, namely, Prince Edwards, Crozete, Kerguelen Islands and others. 

 Here they breed in October and November, placing the nest in the 

 cavity of some high, perpendicular rock. The nest is a conical mound, 

 7 or 8 inches high, hollowed at the top and rudely lined with grass. The 

 single egg which this species lays is described as white, very long in 

 proportion to its thickness ; sometimes it is marked with spots about 

 the larger end; size 3.95 x 2.63. The cries of this Albatross are said to 

 be very loud, and not unlike the calls of a cat. 



85. Ossifraga gigantea (GM.) [704.] 



Giant Fulmar. 



Hab. Southern oceans; casual off the coast of Oregon. 



The largest of the Petrels, known as " Mother Gary's Goose," 

 " Giant Petrel" and " Bone-breaker." In size it equals many of the 

 Albatrosses, measuring about three feet in length, with a spread of 

 wings measuring seven feet. The Albatrosses and Petrels are noted 

 birds, of gull-like form, variegated with black and white or uniformly 

 sooty in color. They are birds of the ocean, rarely landing except to 

 breed. Among the seamen and whalers this large species is known as 

 "Molly-hawk," "Gong," " Glutton Bird" " Nelly." It breeds on 

 the islands of the South Seas Bouvets, Prince Edwards, Crozete 

 and Kerguelen Islands are some of its breeding places. Said to 

 breed late in December, making the nest on elevated ground some dis- 

 tance from the sea. The Giant Fulmer Petrel also nests on the Falk- 

 land Islands, which lie east of the entrance of the Strait of Magellan 

 in Southern South America. 



Dr. J. H. Kidder found this species in considerable numbers in 

 the vicinity of Kerguelen Island, feeding on the carcass of the sea- 

 elephant. Its voracity and filthy habits reminded him strongly of 

 the vultures. L,ike vultures, the birds so crammed themselves that 

 they were unable to rise from the ground.* The egg is described as 

 dirty white in color, rough to the touch, and its shape like that of a 

 common goose ; size 4.25 x 2.66. 



* Bulletin of the National Museum No. 2, page 24. 



