Order ANSERES.] [Fam. PROCELLARIID.E. 



PUFFINUS BREVICAUDUS. 



(BRANDT'S SHEARWATER.) 



Puffinus brevicaudus, Brandt, MS. ; unde 



Priqfinm brevicaudus, Bonap. C. E. xlii. p. 769 (1856). 



Nectris brevicaudus, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av. ii. p. 201 (1857). 



Nectris brevicauda, Coues, Pr. Philad. Acad. 1864, p. 127. 



Puffinus brevicaudatus, Hutton, Cat. Birds New Zeal. p. 45 (1871). 



Native name. — Titi. 



Ad. omnino fuliginosus, corpore superiore brunnescente lavato : rostro nigricanti-brunneo, mandibula palli- 

 diore : pedibus vinascenti-cinereis : iride nigra. 



Adult. Entire plumage sooty or blackisb grey, the upper surface strongly tinged with brown. Irides black ; 

 bill blackish brown, the under mandible paler; legs and feet vinous-grey; the webs yellowish flesh- 

 colour, blackish-brown towards the edges. Total length 15 inches ; wing, from flexure, 1075 ; tail 3 - 75 ; 

 bill, along the ridge 15, from gape to extremity of lower mandible l - 8 ; tarsus 175 ; middle toe and 

 claw 225. 



This species of Petrel is very abundant on our coasts, and retires inland', sometimes to a distance 

 of fifty miles, to breed. It nests in underground burrows, forming often large colonies, and 

 resorting to the same breeding-place year after year. There is said to be an extensive nesting- 

 ground of this kind in the Kaimanawa ranges in the Taupo-Patea country. At certain seasons 

 the natives collect large numbers of these birds and preserve them in calabashes, potted in their 

 own fat, either for future use or as gifts to neighbouring tribes. 



It is extremely abundant in the seas surrounding Tasmania and among the islands in Bass's 

 Strait, to some of which it resorts in countless numbers for the purpose of breeding. Green 

 Island is described as the great Petrel nursery; and a most interesting account thereof, by 

 Mr. Davies, may be found in the second volume of the i Tasmanian Journal.' The following 

 extracts must suffice : — " About the commencement of September these birds congregate in 

 immense flocks, and shortly afterwards proceed, at sunset, to the different isles upon which they 

 have established their rookeries. Here they remain during the night for the space of about ten 

 days, forming their burrows and preparing for the ensuing laying-season. They then leave and 

 continue at sea for about five weeks. About the 20th November, at sunset, a few come in to lay, 

 and gradually increase in numbers until the night of the 24th. Still there are comparatively few, 

 and a person would find some difficulty in collecting two dozen eggs on the morning of that day. 

 It is not in my power to describe the scene that presents itself at Green Island on the night of 

 the 24th November. A few minutes before sunset flocks are seen making for the island from 



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