176 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 



Observations. A certain amount of doubt exists as to whether 

 the Soft-plumaged Petrel is really found in Tasmanian waters. So 

 far as I am aware there are no records of this species having been 

 observed round our coasts, but, taking into consideration the fact 

 that Petrels in general are great ocean wanderers, there is no 

 reason to doubt that, occasionally at least, it comes to within close 

 proximity of the Tasmanian coast. 



Those who have observed this bird in its haunts state that it is 

 a very rapid flier and generally moves at a considerble height 

 above the surface of the water. 



-BROWN-HEADED PETEEL (SOLANDER PETREL) 

 ((Estrelata solandri, Gould). 



Male. Head black; cheeks and sides of face dark brown; 

 upper surface black, tinged with grey; tail feathers blackish, 

 tinged with ashy-grey; under surface dusky-brown, shaded with 

 slaty-grey ; ' ' slightly mottled with white spots on the throat and 

 with larger ones on the breast, mostly concealed " (Godman) ; 

 bill, legs, and feet black. Dimensions in mm.. Length, 460; 

 bill, 38; wing, 300; tail, 135; tarsus, 30. 



Female. Probably similar to male. 



Nest and Eggs. Unknown. 



Geographical Distribution. Seas of Tasmania and Australia 

 in general. 



Observations. Nothing is known of the habits of this species, 

 the type specimen of which was secured by Gould in Bass Strait 

 on 13th March, 1839, and is now in the British Museum. 



Dr. F. Du Cane Godman is inclined to think that this Petrel 

 is but the dark phase of some other species, possibly (E. lessoni. 



*WHITE-WINGED PETREL 



((Estrelata leucoptera, Gould). 



Male. Forehead white, mottled with black; head and hind- 

 neck blackish ; sides of face white, spotted with black in front of 

 and below the eye ; feathers immediately surrounding the eye 

 black; back dark slaty-grey, edged with black; rump and upper 

 tail coverts light slaty-grey; tail feathers slaty-grey, blackish on 

 the inner web; shoulders slaty-grey; wing coverts and quills 

 black ; under surface white ; sides of neck and upper breast black, 

 with a faint ashy tinge. " Bill black; tarsus and basal half of the 

 interdigital membrane fleshy- white, remainder of the toes and 

 interdigital membrane black " (Gould). Dimensions in mm. : 

 Length, about 310; bill, 27; wing, 216; tail, 92; tarsus, 30. 



Female. Similar to male. 



Nest and Eggs. Unknown. 



