593 Mr. C. F. Beldier on Birds 



but one on Nov. 8, and another on Nov. 9. Then no more 

 were noted till Nov. 14^ when one was seen which appeared 

 to have the tail rounded and not wedge-shaped. After this^ 

 I saw none till we entered Valparaiso harbour, where these 

 birds Avere plentiful, picking up a living with the Silver-grey 

 Petrels from sewer refuse. 



The sole bird of the white variety of this species which 

 was met with on the journey, appeared with dramatic 

 suddenness at the vesseFs stern on Nov. 8 at 2 p.m., when the 

 ship^s company was mustered on the poop for the committal 

 to the deep of the body of a Chinese fireman who had died 

 earlier in the day. The great bird, pure white save for a 

 few dark ermine-like flecks, showed up with startling clear- 

 ness against the storm-clouds. None of the officers had ever 

 seen such a bird, though this was their sixth voyage on that 

 track. 



Petrella capensis. Spotted Petrel. 



The first was seen at midday on Oct. 26. The large white 

 patches on upper surface of the wings are very noticeable when 

 spread in flight. This bird flies with a rapid motion of the 

 wings alternating with soaring, reminding one rather of the 

 Biack-cheeked Falcon [Falco melanogenys). By 2 p.m. there 

 were three present. Oct. 27 (approaching Cook Strait), 

 twenty at least following. Within the Strait itself we saw 

 none. On Oct. 58 (No. 1), the number had increased to 

 forty or more, but next day, Oct. 28 (No. 2), these had 

 diminished to half a dozen, and on Oct. 29 to one. On 

 Oct. 30 there was still a single individual to be seen, but 

 next day, Oct. 31, there were three; on Nov. 1 two; two 

 also on Nov. 2 and on Nov. 3. On Nov. 4 none were noted, 

 on Nov. 5 one; no more were then seen till Nov. 11, when 

 a pair were following. On Nov. 12 there was but one to be 

 seen, on Nov. 13 two. At 2 p.m. on Nov. 14, at least 

 twenty were following in our wake. On Nov. 15 there were 

 twelve, and a few followed the ship right up to the South 

 American coast at Cape Curanmilla. They were not seen 

 inside Valnaraiso harbour. 



