A BIRDLQVER'S YEAR 



account of its large size from all other 

 petrels. It is found widely distributed over 

 the temperate and high southern latitudes, 

 occasionally wandering north of the Equator. 

 The giant petrel almost equals the albatrosses 

 in power of flight, but differs somewhat in 

 habits, for it subsists mainly on blubber 

 and flesh of dead seals and whales, as well 

 as on the bodies of birds. The late Professor 

 Mosely compared it to an oceanic vulture, 

 and wrote that this bird " soars all day 

 along the coast on the look-out for food. 

 No sooner is an animal killed than numbers 

 appear as if by magic, and the birds are 

 evidently well acquainted with the usual 

 proceedings of the sealers, who kill the sea- 

 elephant, take off the skin and blubber, 

 and leave the carcase. They settled down 

 all round in groups at a short distance, a 

 dozen or so together, to wait, and began 

 fighting among themselves as if to settle 

 which was to have the first bite." Once 

 these birds are fully gorged, they are quite 

 unable to fly, and if disturbed will emit 

 an evil-smelling oily fluid. The breeding 

 grounds are found on Kerguelen and Prince 

 Edward's Isle, the nest being a natural 



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