Vor. II, Pr. IT] LOOMIS—A REVIEW OF THE TUBINARES TAFE 
but eggs in an advanced stage of incubation and birds a week 
or two old were abundant. The single egg was laid on the 
bare ground, usually in a slight depression. 
The nestlings sat bolt upright or lay stretched out on the 
ground. When the sun was out they moved about a little. 
The old birds were very solicitous in the care of the young, 
sheltering them during drizzling weather and warning off 
Galapagos Hawks or human intruders by snapping the bill 
threateningly. 
The breeding grounds appear to be restricted wholly to 
Hood Island, no evidence of breeding being discovered on any 
of the other islands. 
The curious albatross pastime, variously styled billing, fenc- 
ing, and dancing, was of constant occurrence on Hood Island 
in September, 1905, and June, 1906; although the view was 
obstructed by rocks and bushes, a glance anywhere over the 
rookery always revealed one or more pairs in action. Stand- 
ing opposite one another, each bird threw its head up, the bill 
in this position being nearly or quite vertical, then the pair 
bowed, then fenced for perhaps a minute, using the bills as 
foils. Other features were often added, which did not seem 
to have any regular order. In these the birds usually per- 
formed alternately. While one was doing the stunt, the other 
assumed a statuesque pose, standing very erect, intently watch- 
ing the performance. At its conclusion, the two joined in a 
fencing bout. Then the second bird performed, and after- 
wards the fencing was repeated, and so on to the finale. The 
additions were as follows: 1. Bird touched ground beside it 
with bill; 2. Mouth was opened very wide; 3. Bill was pointed 
straight upward and a moaning note uttered; 4. Bird reached 
around and touched wing with bill. Occasionally a third bird 
took part at the beginning, but one soon dropped out. Some- 
times two birds go through the fencing exercise with one or 
both sitting (plate 7). . Often when a person bows to an alba- 
tross immediately after a performance, the bow will be re- 
turned. 
When disturbed, these albatrosses displayed signs of anger 
by raising the feathers of the head, notably those over the eyes 
