278 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
coast and on many islands. Its quickness in swimming, diving, and turning, 
when pursuing food, is marvellous. When disturbed at its nest or when 
“sporting” in the water, it utters a sharp harking note. Food: fish, cuttle¬ 
fish, and crustaceans. 
Nest. —A little dry grass or sea-weeds placed in cavities between 
rocks, in a hollow scraped out underneath tussock grass or other vegetation, 
or sometimes in a deserted burrow of a Petrel. 
Eggs. —Two, occasionally three, dull white. Breeding-season: Sep¬ 
tember to March. 
4. Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans Linne 
Di-o-me-de'-a —from Diomede, a Trojan war hero : ex-u-lcins —L., exulans , 
wandering. 
Distribution. —Southern oceans, chiefly between latitudes 60° S. and 
30°S.", occasionally ranging northwards to the tropic of Capricorn. 
Notes. —Also called Man-o'-war Bird, Cape Sheep, and Toroa. 
Usually seen following in the wake of a ship, and occasionally in harbours 
and bays during stormy weather. Its flight is remarkable as well as 
graceful, there being no apparent motion of the wings as it glides and 
circles with effortless ease. Food: cuttle-fish, fish, and other marine 
animals, as well as galley-refuse from ships. Breeds in colonies on Tristan 
da Cuba, South Georgia, and Gough, Auckland, and Antipodes Islands. 
Nest.—A large cone-shaped structure, composed of earth and grass 
cemented together with excreta; placed on the ground. 
^99* White, but mostly nest-stained, the surface being rough and 
lustreless. Breeding-season: December to February. 
5. Snowy Albatross Diomedea chionoptera Salvin 
chi-dn-op -ter-a —Gk, chion > snow; Gk, pteron, wing. 
Distribution.— The southern seas of Australia, Tasmania, and Africa, 
between latitudes 60° S. and 30°S. 
AT to.—This species is similar in habits and economy to the Wander¬ 
ing Albatross, but may be distinguished by its lighter coloration generally, 
especially its white tail. Breeds on Marion, Prince Edward, the Crozet, 
and Kerguelen Islands. 
^N S J'7~ A l arSe ’ , Ijowl-sha P ed structure, composed of earth and grass, 
cemented together with excreta; placed on the ground. 
Rr^S«£‘~ ChaI ^ White , the surface beill £ coarse and lustreless. 
Breeding-season: January and February. 
6. Black-browed Albatross Diomedea mclatiophris Temminck 
mel-an-oph'-ris Gk, melas (melanos ), black; Gk, phrys (phrus ), brow. 
generalfv in soutbern seas of Australia and Tasmania; occurs 
g e ally m the southern oceans between latitudes 60° S. and 20° S. 
Notes. Also called Black-browed Mollymawk and Mollymawk. This 
