GEMS DAI'TION (Stephens). 



t 



ERE i- do variety of the Procellarida more widely distributed over the temperate latitudes of the 

 southern seas than the Bingle representative "I" this genus. 



DAPTION CAPENSIS. 



CAPE PETREL. Gkm s : Daption. 



"Vjn one x\ 1 1 • • has come to Australia by sea, or who lias sailed t<» any extent in our seas, can fail to he 

 1^ well acquainted with the appearance of the ••('ape Pigeon," which is the most popular title of this 

 bird It appeal's certain thai this best known <>f all Petrels embraces the whole circumference of the globe 

 in its wanderings, Soon alter tin- Cape of Good Hope is passed, the enterprising passenger for Australia is 

 angling over the stern for specimens of Ids winged followers, and as the Cape Pigeon is the most confiding, it 

 is generally the first and alwavs the most frequently pulled on board. A line with a hook and bait attached 

 will always secure -\ specimen, and if even only a piece of cork or wood is put on, the Cape Pigeon in 

 his innocence is prettv sure to be the first to get his feet and wings entangled in it. When brought on 

 board, the peculiarity is always noticed that they disgorge their food and an oily substance is seen to 

 exude from the nostrils. Sailors of course say it is seasick, but its indisposition is more likely to be caused 

 by nervousness at its novel surroundings. 



It is "in (>t* the handsomest fliers among the many birds of such powerful wing which bear it 

 company. It- dappled plumage -<>"ii singles it out from the rest, and the ("ape Pigeon often remains with 

 umigranl in Australia a> a memory of his first acquaintance with the winged inhabitants of the land 

 nf his adoption. The colouring varies somewhat among this variety, but its noble Might and bold markings 

 are always prominent. 



It sometimes rests lightly on the water for a few minutes while picking up food, and even occasionally 

 dives t" fl shallow depth, but while at sea its favourite position is on the wing. 



The sexes are alike iii size and colouring. 



Nearly the whole of the head, back and sides of neck, upper part of the back, and edge of the 

 under surface of w in-, dark brown : w ing-coverts and upper tail-coverts white, each feather having dark 

 brown tip; basal half of the tail crossed by a broad white streak, the apical half a dark brown; bill, 

 blackish-brown ; lee-. f ee t and interdigital membranes, very dark brow n. 



Habitats : flu whole of the vast areas of the southern portions of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans 

 lamiliar t«> this wanderer of the sea: not confining itself to the warm and temperate latitudes, it at 

 tun. - voyages to the chilly regions of the Antarctic Circle, where it was seen by Sir James Ross; and, 

 indeed. Gould i- of tlie opinion that it constantly circumnavigates the globe. 



