observed in the South Pacific Ocean. 591 



about a dozen. Nov. 10, ciglit or nine only. Nov. 11, 

 about twelve. Nov. 12, about twelve. Nov. 13^ about twelve. 

 Nov. 14j only one following- at 2 p.m. Nov. 15, only one^ the 

 last seen. 



Priocella antarctica. Silver-grey Petrel. 



The first example ajDpeared at 3 p.m. on Nov. 3. In flight 

 and general appearance it somewhat resembles the Brown 

 Petrel. Avvliite patch shows prominently near the end of the 

 wings. Nov. 11, at 3.30 p.m. one made two complete circuits 

 of the ship. The tail a])peai-s sliglitly wed;i;e-shaped. When 

 this bird went to pick up something from the wake it turned 

 a half somersault as it reached tbe water^ reminding me of 

 a Tumbler-Pigeon. Nov. 14, at 2 p.m. one was following iu 

 our wake. The bill is horn-colour, the nostrils very small, 

 and tips of the wings dark above. Late in the evening at 

 least four were seen. Nov. 16 (Valparaiso)^ this species 

 became plentiful as we neared the coast, and in the harbour 

 appears to take the place occupied by Jameson's Gull in 

 Australian ports, for it was in considerable numbers and 

 veiy tame, swimming in companies about the tiers of 

 moored ships. Judging from the dirty state of the water 

 and the great quantities of garbage floating about, the town 

 sewers must discharge direct into the bay, and so provide 

 sustenance for this and other species. 



Macronectes gigaiiteus. Giant Petrel. 



These birds first appeared the day after we passed through 

 Cook Strait, Oct. 28 (No. 1). There were seven of them. 

 The heavy light-coloured bill shows up conspicuously, even 

 at a distance, in comparison with the dark plumage. Th.e 

 Hight is soaring, with a few fairly rapid Aving-beats at 

 intervals. Oct. 28 (No. 2), four following. Oct. 29, three 

 seen. The tail appears bluntly wedge-shaped, suggesting 

 i\\ii [qW ot Aqulla audax. Oct. 30, all had disa[)peared. Oct. 

 31, one seen. Tliis species is a heavy, lumbering, ugly bird 

 compared with the graceful Sooty Albiitros {Piia'betria 

 palpebrata^ No more till Nov. 4, when one was seen. None 

 on Nov. 5, but one appeared on Nov. 6; none on Nov. 7, 



2 R 2 



y 



