2 BIRDS OF KERGUELEN ISLAND. 



The plumage is very soft and light. Unclerlying the white plumage is a 

 dense coat of slaty-blue down, similar to that usually found on sea-birds. 



Tarsus and foot dull white, with a flesh-tint; scaly and stout. Toes 4; 

 not palmate ; fourth toe placed above and on the inner side of the tarsus. 



Tail, spreading widely in flight, nearly square. 



Testes slate-colored, and of small size so late as November 14. 



Intestines contained fragments of sea-weed and beaks of cephalopods. 

 The small intestine of No. 67 (original number) measured 29 inches and 

 the large 19 = 48 in all. There is a distinct crop and muscular gizzard ; 

 -also, a marked dilatation of the small intestine beyond the pylorus, as 

 if the latter divided the stomach into two portions, one muscular and the 

 other membranous. Gizzard internally rugose. 



Uggs pointed, about as large as those of a guinea-fowl, and marked with 

 torown streaks. Three were found in the onl}^ nest of which I have reli- 

 .able information, and these were marked in different shades (auct. Rev. 

 Mr. Eaton, naturalist to English transit-party). 



The Chionis was one of the first birds observed after landing at Ker- 

 guelen Ishind. On the way up from the Swatara's first anchorage to 

 the final station selected, one of these birds alighted on the boat hoisted 

 at the stern of the ship, and remained there for a considerable time, 

 showing no fear of the persons standing upon the poop, and seemingly 

 much interested in their movements. One of the first specimens taken 

 was captured by hand, by Mr. Russell, of the New Zealand party ; he 

 having enticed the bird near to him by means of a dead one, killed with 

 a stone. 



They were quite common in particular parts of the island, near the 

 American station, especially in the neighborhood of the "rookeries" of 

 the cormorant {Graculus carunculatus) and of the rock-hopper penguins 

 (Eudyptes chrysolopha), and upon rocks at and near high- water mark. 

 In these localities, I have often observed them for hours at a time; their 

 remarkable fearlessness and curiosity rendering it easy to get near them. 

 On the 15th of October, for example, seeing a considerable number on 

 the rocks at some distance away, I walked and climbed slowly toward 

 them. They would scarcely get out of my way, seeming greatly inter- 

 ested in my movements; and when I sat on a. stone, keeping perfectly' 

 still, the whole party, twelve in all, came up to examine the intruder. 

 They walked all around me, coming almost within reach; others flying 

 up from more distant rocks to join them, and finally stopped, almost in 

 a semicircle, for a good stare. I watched them at these close quarters 



