OSSIFEAGA GIGANTEA. 



23 



single large egg found ; but, of course, the evidence is not absolute that 

 these two birds had paired, although found so near together. 



Although I haA^e often observed the dusky albatross sailing along very 

 close to the surface of the water, or circling around rocky hill-tops, I 

 have nev^er seen it feed, except in captivity. Then both birds ate freely 

 of fresh meat. The peculiar call (which can be heard for a very long 

 distance) is most often given by the setting bird, and answered by its 

 mate flying near by. The Qgg is single, white, and very long in propor- 

 tion to its thickness. 



I«fovember 12, I found another bird on a nest, in a locality similar to 

 that already described. It stared stupidly at me, clattering its beak, 

 and turning its head from side to side, but making no effort to escape. 

 There was no eg,g. The narrow line of white feathers above and behind 

 the eyes gives these birds a singular and striking appearance — a sort of 

 wide-eyed, amazed air, that distinguishes them markedly from other 

 birds. The white feathers are very minute, but quite perfect. 



The nest found November 12 was shortly after abandoned by the sit- 

 ting bird, apparently because it had been disturbed. Another bird was 

 found sitting on an Qgg on November 22, high in the rocks, and some 

 four miles inland. Neither of these specimens was preserved. Nos. 85 

 and 8() are the embryo, and the Qgg from which it w'as taken, found 

 November 21, kindly given me by Mr. Stanley, who captured the adult 

 at the same time. 



OSSIFEAGA GIGANTEA, {Gm.) Belch. 



QUEBRANTEHUESOS. — BONE-BREAKEK. — " NELLY." 



Procellaria gigantea, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i, 1788, p. 563. 

 Ossifraga gigantea, Reichenbach, Syst. Av. pi. 20, f. 332. 



Bonaparte, Consp. Av. ii, 1855, p. 186. 



CouES, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Pliila. 1866, p. 32. 

 Procellaria ossifraga, Foester, Descr. An., ed. Licht. 1844, p. 343. 



List of specimens, ivith measurements. 



a <si 



aa 



.3.2 



02 



a 



s 

 a 



a 



a 

 '& 



O 



6 

 "3 



M 



a 



a 



0) 





"3 



s 



ID 



P 



^^ 

 Si 



H 



<D 



O 



13 

 O 



Kemarks. 







1874. 

 Oct. 5 

 Dec. 14 



1875. 

 Jan. 2 

 Jan. 2 

 Jan. 2 



2 



33.00 

 35.00 



76.00 

 78.00 



19.75 

 20.00 



7.00 

 8.25 



4.00 

 4.35 



4.50 

 4.40 



3.50 

 3.50 



4.85 

 5.05 



0.85 

 0.85 



Not preserved. 

 Skin. 



Young ; alcohol. 

 Do. 

 Do. 



68954 



155 



215 

 •216 

 •217 































































