236 ORNITHOLOGY OF THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



On June 1st, when winter was well advanced, Dr Bruce noticed one flying round the 

 Scotia ; and another is believed to have been seen at the open water in Scotia Bay 

 on August 17th. 



There are no South Orkney specimens in the collection, but a number had been 

 obtained in the Weddell Sea before the Expedition arrived at Laurie Island and went 

 into winter-quarters there. 



Priocella glacialoides (Smith). 

 Priocella glacialoides Cat. B., xxv. p. 393. 



The Slender-billed Fulmar, or Silver Petrel, was observed in the summer of 1903, 

 in MacDougall Bay, on the north coast of Laurie Island, on November 4th. After this 

 date examples were occasionally seen about the cliffs on the north side of the island 

 during November and December, and it is considered highly probable that a few pairs 

 were nesting there. The breeding-places of this bird, however, still remain to be 

 discovered. 



This species was first observed during the previous autumn, when a number came 

 under notice between Saddle Island and Cape Bennet, the north end of Powell 

 Island, on March 22nd, 1903 ; and again on the following day when the Scotia was 

 in Leathwaite Strait, between Coronation Island and Powell Island, in search of winter- 

 quarters. It was also seen in numbers off the north-west end of Coronation Island 

 on February 14th, 1904. 



It had been seen commonly, and specimens obtained, in the Weddell Sea just prior 

 to the date of the above observations. 



Pagodroma nivea (Gm.). 

 Pagodroma nivea Cat. B., xxv. p. 419. 



The Snowy Petrel of Cook was not only an abundant summer bird, but was by far 

 the most numerous of the few species which remained for the entire winter at the 

 South Orkneys. 



In summer it frequented the high precipitous sea-cliffs which formed its breeding- 

 haunts, and where, during the nesting-season, some 20,000 birds were estimated to 

 be present on Laurie Island alone. It was never seen on the hills at the head of the 

 ice-sheets. 



It was also found at Saddle Island and was nesting there. The single eggs were 

 laid under rocks, in caves, and in holes and crevices on the steep cliffs facing the sea, 

 at heights ranging from a few to several hundred feet above the water. The nests were 

 rough primitive structures, and consisted of a few stones or a little earth. They were 

 less accessible than those of the Cape Petrel, and mostly isolated ; but in one cave 

 under Mount Ramsay a dozen or more eggs were taken. This bird does not fly off' when 

 its nest is approached, but retreats a little, and ejects an oily fluid at the intruder, 

 uttering all the while shrill cries. 



