Aves.] 



SUBANTARCTIC ISLANDS OF NEW ZEALAND. 



571 



be renewed at intervals. Drops of oil oozed out of the beaks as they were rubbed 

 together. The clapping of beaks with which the performance commenced gave place 

 to a vibratory motion, which seemed to be involuntary, like shivering. The sound 

 was a hollow booming, which gave place to a shriek from both birds, similar to that 

 made by the young when alarmed. This concluded the performance, which was 

 recommenced after a short interval. The commotion occasioned during this curious 

 display would attract other albatroses to the scene. These sometimes paired off 

 and performed duets similar to that described. The community would then be 





1 



H^k%]^!K^^ 



.<■ 



-?*i 





^^^^^Ks^ 



J 



r^lf^lB^ m^ 







i 









i- 



Fig. 15. — Waxdehing Albatroses (Diomedea exvlans) mating, Antipodes Island. 



joined by others which had been flying past, and they alighted among the group 

 not a dozen yards from us, and almost unmindful of our presence. In alighting 

 the legs and toes are spread. These birds walk laboriously uphill, and often sit 

 down, as though tired ; they cannot take wing direct, except in the face of a strong 

 wind, when they rise almost vertically. Going downhill they run for some distance 

 to gain impetus, and use the feet to beat the air even when actually afloat. The 

 tips of the wings only are moved in thus leaving the ground, much as though a man 

 moved his fingers with the arms outstretched." 



