PEOCBLLAEIID^ (ESTKELATA 477 



to three yards in length, is made in the hillside, generally in a very 

 damp spot, often with a small cascade running over the entrance. 

 The tunnel ends in a larger chamber in the centre of which is a nest 

 built up like an inverted saucer with a depression at the top, the 

 floor of the chamber being frequently covered with water. Here, 

 usually in January, a single egg is laid ; this is oval, almost equally 

 pointed at each end, white and smooth, but not glistening, and 

 measures about 3-2 x 2-1. Both male and female appear to take 

 part in incubation, the male during the day, the female at night. 

 When dug out of the nest the bird utters a prolonged and high 

 pitched cry, and often inflicts a nasty wound with its beak. 



There are eggs of this bird in the South African Museum from 

 the Crozet Islands, obtained many years ago from Captain Armson. 



Genus V. (ESTRELATA. 



Type. 

 ./Estrelata, Bp. Cousp. Av. ii, p. 188 (1856) CE. hsesitata. 



Bill rather shorter than the head but very strongly hooked, the 

 unguis forming more than half the bill, which is generally black 

 throughout ; nasal tube very short, less than a quarter the length 

 of the culmen; opening as in Majagueus, directed forwards and 

 inwards ; wing moderate, first and second primaries subequal ; tail of 

 twelve feathers slightly graduated ; tarsus much shorter than the 

 middle toe and claw, covered with hexagonal scales ; hind toe small. 



This is a large genus, containing some thirty species found 

 principally in the tropical and temperate portions of the Oceans of 

 the Southern Hemisphere but occasionally wandering north of the 

 Line as far as the British Isles and Japan. Four species have been 

 met with in Cape Seas and it is quite probable that others may 

 occasionally occur there. 



Key of the Species. 



A. Plumage sooty black throughout (E. macroptera, p. 478. 



B. Below more or less white. 



((.. Head except the region round the eye white... CE. Icssoni, p. 479. 

 b. Crown more or less dark. 

 a'. Forehead, throat and neck dark hke the 



back (E- incerta, p. 480. 



6'. Forehead, throat and neck more or less 



■white (E' molKs, p. 481. 



