MANX SHEARWATER. 129 



Both birds sit, and that so closely, as to allow themselves 

 to be taken in the hand. 



They seem to be very variable in the time of laying, from 

 the end of May to the end of June. 



The nest is at most and best but a slight collection of 

 fern leaves and withered stems of other plants: frequently 

 none is formed, but the sand alone suffices the bird. 



Only one egg is produced; it is large in size in proportion 

 to the bulk of the bird, perfectly white, and of an oval 

 form, but both ends obtuse. 



Male; weight, seventeen ounces; length, one foot two to 

 one foot three inches. The bill, which is furrowed above 

 with a double tube, is blackish brown, the base lighter 

 coloured and of a yellowish brown tint, the tips of both 

 mandibles much hooked downwards; iris, dark brown. Head 

 on the sides and crown, neck on the back, and nape, dusky 

 brownish black, with a slight tinge of grey and a glossy 

 lustre, the sides of the neck mottled with grey and white. 

 Chin, throat, and breast, white, below on the latter behind 

 the legs is a brownish black streak. Back, dusky brownish 

 black, with a slight tinge of grey, and a glossy lustre. 



The wings, when closed, reach nearly to the end of the 

 tail: they expand to the width of two feet seven inches. 

 Greater and lesser under wing coverts, white; primaries, 

 black; tail, brownish black; under tail coverts, white. Legs, 

 brown behind, in front dull yellowish red; they are laterally 

 compressed; the outer toe brown, the remainder dull yel- 

 lowish red; the webs rayed with brown. 



The young bird is at first covered with greyish black 

 down, except a stripe along the centre of the breast, which 

 is white. 



In the bird of the first year the breast is of a deep ash 

 grey, the upper plumage dusky brown, which becomes by 

 degrees darker. 



VOL. VIII. K 



