larger: this is not always, however, the case ; they vary much, 

 as the plate will shew. Fig. 1 is not unusual ; Fig. 2, with 

 other dark vaieties, of various shades of colour, is the most 

 common ; Fig. 3 a remarkable one ; I took two of this singular 

 variety from a nest, together with one which was as deeply 

 coloured as Fig. 2. In 1832, a pair of these birds took a sin- 

 gular fancy into their heads; deserting the habits of their 

 forefathers, and the society of their species, they repaired to 

 one of the Fern Islands to breed, apparently thus subjecting 

 themselves to very great inconvenience. Contrary to their 

 usual habits, they built their nest upon the ground (there 

 being no trees upon the islands) ; this was of most curious 

 construction, and instead of sticks, of which it is always 

 formed, and which the neighbourhood would not supply, the 

 outside of the nest was formed of small pieces of turf, neatly 

 laid upon each other, and formed into a compact wall ; this 

 was lined with the usual quantity of wool, which was all 

 brought from the main-land, at the distance of four or five 

 miles. 



