North American Birds Eggs. 47 



An egg in the collection of Ool. John E. Thayer was taken on Gough Island, 

 South Atlantic Ocean; Sept. 1st., 1888. The nest was a mound of mud and 

 grass about two feet in height. The single white egg measured 3.75 x 2.25. It 

 was collected by Geo. Comer. 



82. Sooty Albatross. PlKibctria fnUgiiwua. 



Range. — Southern seas, north in our summer along the Pacific coast of the 

 United States. 



This species is entirely sooty brown except the white eyelids. It is similar to 

 the Black-footed Albatross from which species it can be distinguished in all 

 plumages by the narrow base of the bill, while the bill of the former species is 

 broad and rounded. They breed commonly on isolated islands in many 

 quarters of the southern hemisphere. Sometimes this species constructs a 

 mound of mud on which to deposit its single white egg, and also often lays it on 

 the bare ground or rock. A specimen in Mr. Thayer's collection, taken by Geo. 

 Comer on So. Georgia Is. in the South Atlantic ocean was laid in a hollow 

 among loose stones on the ledge of an overhanging clil^. Size 4.10 x 2.75. 



[White.l 



FULMARS and SHEARWATERS. Family PROCELLARIDAE. 



Fulmars and Shearwaters are Gull-like birds with two nostril tubes located 

 side l:)y side, in a single tube, on the top of the bill at it's base. 



The Fulmars are mostly northern birds while the majority of the Shear- 

 waters nest in the extreme south during our winter, and appear off our coasts 

 during the summer. Their food consists of fish or offal which they get from 

 the surface of the water; large flocks of them hover about fishermen, watching 

 their chance to get any food which falls, or is thrown, overboard. 



