NATATORES. 



367 



" At Honden Island, we found them, on the 21st day of August, 

 constructing their nests, in great numbers, on bushes from four to six 

 feet above the ground, the materials used were weeds, and the struc- 

 ture was rude. They had not then began to lay their eggs, but were so 

 unsuspicious that we took as many as were wanted, in different stages 

 of plumage, from the bushes with our hands. Sometimes they fought, 

 rather than leave their nests, uttering a hoarse grunting cry, and 

 biting severely, and aiming their blows at our eyes when not carefully 

 guarded. 



" Amongst many hundred pairs, at the island above named, all pre- 

 paring to raise broods, we saw but about a dozen with the pure white 

 plumage, which is the dress of the mature birds." 



" At Enderby's Island, we found them with nests on the bushes in 

 the same manner as at Honden Island, but constructed of different 

 materials, dry sticks being used in the place of weeds. It was in the 

 month of January. Some of the nests contained a newly laid egg, 

 others contained young birds in various stages of growth. It was very 

 rarely that we found two young birds or two eggs in the same nest, but 

 almost always a single one of either. 



" The young when first hatched are covered with a very white 

 down ; their first plumage is entirely brown, clouded with hoary, but 

 the color soon becomes lighter about the head, neck, breast, and tail. 

 The neck and tail next become white, and finally the whole plumage, 

 except the greater feathers of the wings ; these changes requiring 

 several years." 



Dr. Pickering alludes to this bird as abundant at Gardner's Island, 

 and as stated by Mr. Peale, alw^ays building its nest in trees or bushes. 

 " The egg," he observes, " is single and smaller than that of the larger 

 white species [Sulci personata), and more elongated. It is white, with 

 a bluish tint." He mentions it as abundant also at McKean's Island, 

 at Sydney Island, and at Wake's Island, and as having been seen also 

 at the Philippines. 



Numerous specimens, in adult and young plumage, and from various 

 localities, are in the collection of the Expedition. This bird is very 

 handsomely and accurately represented in Mr. Gould's plate in his 

 splendid work on the Birds of Australia, cited above. 



