119. THALASSOGERON EXIMIUS, Verrill 



(GOUGH ISLAND ALBATROS.) 



Thalassogeron eximius, Verrill, Tr. Connect. Acad. ScL, IX., p. 440, pi. 8, figs. 1, 2 

 (1895); Salvin, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., XXV., p. 449 (1896); Eagle 

 Clarke, Ibis, 1905, p. 265. 



T. chlororhyncho similis, sed rostro nigro, ad apicem corneo : culmine laete flavo 

 apicem versus aurantiaco, inde rubro. 



No example of T. eximius was ever seen by Salvin or myself, and I can therefore 

 only repeat the account given by Mr. Comer, who procured the single specimen 

 known, and add the description of Professor Verrill, who states "that the species 

 is similar in plumage to T. chlororhynchus, but the lower mandible lacks the 

 transverse yellow bar at the base, and is entirely black, except at the extreme 

 outer end, where it is tipped with horn-colour. The bright-yellow culmen deepens 

 into orange in the middle, and finally into dull red on the unguis, growing paler 

 towards the tip. Sides and back of head pale ash-grey, forehead white. No dark 

 spot behind the eye. Tarsus, tail and two outer toes longer than in T. chlororhynchus, 

 and bill somewhat deeper at base. Wing 19*25 inches, tail 8 - 5, tarsus 3*05-3*07, 

 middle toe and claw 4'32-4-35." 



Mr. Comer, who obtained seventy-four eggs, states that this is the only 

 Mollymawk on Gough Island, where it is called the " Bluehead " by the sealers. 



The nests, though smaller, resemble those of Diomedea exulans, and the birds are 

 somewhat solitary in habit, isolating themselves in pairs among the tussocks and 

 brakes, where they commence to lay about September 20th. 



Dr. Bruce and Mr. Wilton of the Scottish Antarctic Expedition, did not 

 find T. eximius on their visit to Gough Island, but as Mr. Wilton records many 

 instances of the occurrence of Diomedea melanophrys, it is possible that this Albatros 

 may have been mistaken for T. eximius (Eagle Clarke, Ibis, 1905, p. 265). 



360 



