354 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. 



vessels, and sometimes also the carcass of a putrid whale, 

 which, when it occurs, affords to these birds a welcome 

 feast. They are voracious feeders, and will rush at a 

 bait with the utmost avidity, disputing fiercely with each 

 other for the treacherous morsel ; they are thus easily 

 captured with a hook and line, and sometimes by a line 

 only, if suddenly thrown over them as they pass close 

 under a vessel's stern. 



Sometimes also they become entangled by flying 

 against lines which have been set by the sailors for that 

 purpose. 



When caught, they are exceedingly awkward on the 

 deck of a vessel, as they cannot rise, but attempt to make 

 their escape by running along with outstretched wings ; 

 on such occasions they frequently vomit large quantities 

 of a reddish-coloured offensive oil. This they seem to 

 do from sheer fright only. 



Sealers declare that the only locality known as a 

 breeding-place of this species is the island of South 

 Georgia. 



[Mr. Andersson's collection did not contain a specimen of 

 this well-known Petrel ; but its plumage is accurately described 

 in his MS. notes, showing that the species wis correctly iden- 

 tified.— Ed.] 



407. Ossifraga gigantea (Gmel.). Giant Petrel. 



Procellaria gigantea, Gould's Birds of Australia, vol. vii. pi. 45. 



„ „ Layard's Cat. No. 667. 



Ossifraga gigantea, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 10872. 



The Giant Petrel is not unfrequently met with on the 



