16 BIRDS OF KERGUELEN ISLAND. 



that I have only heard when near their nests. It was this last call^ 

 given by gulls high overhead, that directed me to the nesting-place 

 where the young were found, January 2. 



The plumage is very variable, according to age, as usual with gulls^ 

 seeming to indicate several different species. None of these birds ex- 

 amined which were not in full plumage showed any enlargement of the 

 genital organs. One specimen was seen flying which had almost ac- 

 quired the adult plumage, excepting only that the head, neck, and 

 under parts were sparingly mottled with gray. The fringe of white at 

 the ends of the primaries and secondaries was quite distinct. 



On the 14th December, while watching the various birds which had 

 gathered about the carcass of a sea-elephant upon the beach, I observed 

 that gulls do not, in feeding from the surface of the water, use their 

 feet and claws as instruments of prehension. They dip the bill down, 

 seizing their prey by its aid only, even when at some little distance be- 

 neath the surface, and, at the same time, strike the water sharply with 

 their expanded feet, thus getting an upward impulse, which maintains 

 their flight. Two little white-rumped petrels {T. Wilsonii), seen on that 

 day for the first time in broad sunshine, performed the same manceuvre 

 in a much more dexterous and obvious manner than the gulls. 



At this same time, I shot a specimen in unusually dark plumage with 

 No. 7 shot, and at very long range. The bird seemed stupefied, but 

 there was no external mark of injury except one shot-hole behind and 

 above the right eye. When secured, it struggled violently, neither 

 wings nor legs being in the least injured ; but, left to itself, it showed 

 no fear of, or wish to avoid me, stared about stupidly for a few moments, 

 and presently put its head under its wing. I wanted to secure the bet- 

 ter-marked specimen already mentioned, which was flying near with the 

 rest of the flock, and, intending to take advantage of the sympathy 

 which gulls always show for a wounded companion, set my capture on a 

 little knoll, and retired to some distance. It put its head under its wing 

 as before, and, although exposed to a fresh breeze which was blowing^ 

 seemed to have no difiBculty in maintaining its balance. Not succeed- 

 ing in drawing the specimen I wanted within range, I finished my bird 

 after a little with a charge of small shot (No. 9), and preserved the 

 specimen (No. 15G). I omitted to mention that, w^hen thrown up intc 

 the air, it seemed to have full power of flight, but to lack the inclina- 

 tion. I suppose that in this case the centers of reflex action remained 

 intact, while such intellect as the bird possessed was paralysed by a shot 

 in the cerebrum. 



