220 Transactions. — Zoology. 



127. Pufflnus tristis. 



Common all round the coasts of the Chatham group. It burrows a 

 horizontal hole, from three to four feet deep, and turning slightly to the right 

 or left, in peaty ground. At the extremity of this hole it forms a rude nest 

 composed of twigs and dead leaves. Only one egg is laid, and the male bird 

 assists in the work of incubation. They are very savage whilst on the nest, 

 biting and scratching those who molest them. The young bird is singularly 

 fat, and when taken from the hole disgorges a quantity of oily matter of most 

 ojffensive smell. This, however, is esteemed a delicacy by the Morioris, who 

 hold the young birds over their mouths allowing the substance to drain into 

 them. The old birds roost on shore, the noise they make during the whole 

 night being absolutely frightful, resembling an exaggerated chorus of squalling 

 children and love-making cats, in which the performers were numbered by 

 thousands. From the manner in which this noise was intensified on each 

 fresh arrival I could only conclude that the whole lot were squalling out their 

 adventures during the day. When taken out of their holes they flutter about 

 on the ground for some time, tumbling over stumps in a confused manner, but 

 ultimately make for the sea. 



139. Prion turtur. 



Right-whale bird of the whalers. This bird occurs in immense numbers 

 on the islands. It breeds in holes in the ground, laying a single egg in a nest 

 composed of a few dead leaves. Both parents assist in the incubation. When 

 the bird is taken from the hole it disgorges a quantity of greenish oily matter, 

 which appears to be used as food for the young birds. Whilst on Mangare I 

 often found these birds caught in the branches of scrubby trees, and could only 

 account for this by supposing that they got caught whilst attempting to escape 

 from Lestris catarractes. Egg pure white ; length 1 in., diameter, 1 in. 



141. Prion vittatus. 



Blue Billy of the settlers. Breeds in cavities of cliffs on the sea shore, or 

 in holes burrowed in the soft peaty soil which covers the tops of most of the 

 small islets. The hole dips slightly, is from eighteen to twenty-four inches 

 deep, and quite straight. It breeds in September, and only one egg is laid. 

 Where the egg is laid in holes in rocks it is placed on the bare rock, but in the 

 peaty holes a few leaves are found, but whether placed there by this bird or 

 by smaller sea birds which use the same holes for breeding I cannot say. 

 Both birds take part in incubation. They are not easily disturbed when 

 sitting, pecking at the hand whilst the egg is being taken, but remaining on 

 the nest after its removal. When taken from the holes they fly away with a 

 wavy uncertain flight as if blinded by the sudden light. One mode of getting 

 this and other sea birds is by lighting a large fire at night at the foot of a high 



