THE BIKDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
to which group would the fossil Atlantic Albatrosses be referable ? 
Further, should we regard Bulweria as an unchanged Miocene remnant or 
conclude that whatever alteration may have taken place has agreed 
exactly in both distant seas. 
Under Migration some novel ideas are written down as if absolute 
facts, whereas httle support to them is adduced. Nevertheless, some of 
the novelty may later be recognised as a valuable contribution when 
facts are added. Thus as fact is written : “ The longest transequatorial 
migration is that of the Sooty Shearwater,” denying the suggestion that 
has been put forward doubting this, without offering any evidence whatever. 
He cites the Californian form as arriving in spring and departing in 
autumn, concluding : “ Furthermore, the period of absence from Cahfomian 
waters coincides with the breeding season in the South Temperate Zone.” 
This is contradicted by his own figures, here reproduced. “Jan., 5 specimens ; 
Feb., 13 sp. ; March, 1 sp. ; April, 14 sp. ; May, 46 sp. ; June, 32 sp. ; July, 14 sp. ; 
Aug., 16 sp. ; Sept., 35 sp. ; Oct., 29 sp. ; Nov., 12 sp. ; Dec., 6 sp.” I give these 
to show the uselessness of figures, as the above would suggest nothing like 
Loomis’ definite statement. He concluded that birds observed in numbers in 
February were the vanguard of the year’s migration, but the birds are stiU 
engaged in breeding in February in the Southern Hemisphere. Being con- 
fronted with further annoying data in connection with the Slender-billed Shear- 
water, Loomis wrote ; “ The fact that the Slender-biUed Shearwaters are 
late and irregular in their occurrence off Point Pinos is of peculiar interest, 
creating the doubt whether they are really returning migrants bound 
for South American breeding stations, or whether they are strays that 
have missed their way and falling in with the rearguard of the Sooty 
Shearwaters have come down the wrong coast, the American instead of 
the Asiatic.” The suggestion of a South American breeding station is a 
novelty in connection with this species, as none is known, and confirms 
my own suggestion as to breeding places for these birds which Loomis 
has been at great pains otherwise to discount. It is conclusive that the 
Slender-biUed Shearwater does not come from the North Pacific down 
the Asiatic coast to breed in Bass Straits, and when Loomis accepts that 
as a fact a step forward will be made. It may be conceded that partial 
migrations take place on the West American coasts ; but facts are necessary, 
and these may prove to be, like the breeding of the Sooty Shearwater 
on the Pescadores Islands, unpalatable to Loomis, but nevertheless valuable 
truths. 
Loomis’ conclusions regarding Migration may be correct, but that 
term as thus determined would be inapphcable to the movements of Petrels 
418 
