BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 171 



rows are formed under tussock-grass, mostly high upon the 

 mountain sides. 



Eggs^ — Clutch one; roundish oval in shape; texture somewhat 

 coarse; surface very slightly glossy; colour pure white. Dimen- 

 sions in mm. : — 70 x 60. 



Breeding Season. — November and December.. 



Geographical Distribution. — Seas of Tasmania, Australia, New 

 Zealand, and Southern Ocean in general. 



Observations. — This large and powerful Petrel is somewhat 

 numerous in southern seas. During the voyage of the Magenta a 

 number were observed in Bass Strait. The flight of this species 

 is very powerful, and resembles in some ways that of an Albatross. 

 Of the diving powers of the Great Grey Petrel Dr. E. A. Wilson 

 remarks that they " drop suddenly beneath the surface of the 

 water with their wings spread to seize soma scrap of food. They 

 unhesitatingly go completely under, and reappear witli their wings 

 still spread." 



Ascension Island is considered to be the most northern point 

 reached by this bird. 



*SILVEE-GEEY PETEEL 

 {Priocella glacialoides, Smith). 



Male. — Crown of the head white; nape and hind-neck slightly 

 shaded with pearly-grey ; tail pearly-grey ; back and wing coverts 

 pearly-grey ; quills blackish ; secondaries pearly-grey ; under sur- 

 face of body pure white ; shade of pearly-grey on lower flanks ; 

 "bill rarely pink, blackish at the tip of both mandibles and 

 maxilla; iris rich brown; legs, toes, and webs all flesh-grey, with a 

 strong pink tinge " (E. A. Wilson). Dimensions in mm. : — 

 Length, about 460; bill, 45; wing, 330; tail, 115; tarsus, 48. 



Female. — Similar to male. 



Nest and Eggs. — Unknown. 



Geograjjhical Distribution. — Seas of Tasmania, Australia, New 

 Zealand, Southern Ocean in general, and ranging northwards to 

 the Columbia Eiver, on the Pacific Coast of America. 



Observations. — Much mystery attaches to the site of the 

 breeding grounds of this delicately marked Petrel, whose range over 

 the Southern Ocean is very v/ide. Strong suspicions are held that 

 Kerguelen Island contains a rookery or two, but nothing definite 

 has been discovered. Mr. W. Eagle Clarke, of the Scottish 

 Expedition, looks upon Laurie Island as a prpbable breeding 

 ground, while Dr. Wilson, who accompanied the National Ant- 

 arctic Expedition, considers the Balleny Islands a probable nesting 

 place. He further adds: — "It may be that the basaltic rocks of 

 Scott Island, discovered in Eoss Sea by the relief ship Morning, 

 are a breeding place for this Petrel and for the Antarctic Petrel 

 too. From its position this is quite likely, and from the large 



