48 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



84. Sooty Albatross (After Audubon). 



lays is described as white, very long in proportion to its thickness; sometimes It la 

 marked with spots about the larger end; size 3.95x2.63. The cries of this Albatross 

 are said to be very loud, and not unlike the calls of a cat. In November, 1885, Capt. 

 Thomas B. Lynch collected eggs of this species at Diego, Ramirey Islands, fifty-twS 

 miles off Cape Horn. One of these eggs is in the collection of Mr. Crandall. The 

 nest was built up from the ground about two feet and was constructed of mud. Tbe 

 egg is dull white in color, very long and narrow, the large end sprinkled with pur- 

 plish red. Size, 4.53x2.45. 



85. GIANT FXTLMAE. Ossifraga gigantea (Gm.) Geog. Dist. — Southern 

 oceans; casual off the coast of Oregon. 



The largest of the Petrels, known as "Mother Gary's Goose," "Giant Petrel" and 

 "Bone-breaker." In size it equals many of the Albatrosses, measuring about three 

 feet in length, with a spread of wings seven feet. The Albatrosses and Petrels are 

 noted birds, of gull-like form, variegated with black and white or uniformly sooty 

 color. They are birds of the ocean, rarely landing except to breed. Among the 

 seamen an^ whalers this large species is known as "Molly-hawk," "Gong," "Glutton 

 Bird," "Nelly." It breeds on the islands of the South Seas — Bouvets, Prince Ed- 

 wards, Crozete and Kefguelen Islands are some of its breeding places. Said to breed 

 late In December, making the nest on elevated ground some distance from the sea. 

 The Giant Fulmar Petrel also nests on the Falkland Islands, which lie east of the 

 entrance of the Strait of Magellan in Southern South America. Dr. J. H. Kidder 

 found this species in considerable numbers in the vicinity of Kerguelen Island, feed- 

 ing on the carcass of the sea elephant. Its voi'acity and filthy habits reminded him 

 strongly of the vultures. Like vultures, the birds so crammed themselves that they 

 were unable to rise from the ground.* The egg is described as dirty white in colorj 

 rough to the touch, and its shape like that of a common goose; size 4.25x2.66. 



86. FULMAR. Fulmariis glacialis (Linn.) Geog. Dist. — Nprth Atlantic, south 

 on the American coast to Massachusetts. 



* Bulletin of the National Museum No. 2, p. 24. 



