but retires to Kerguelen's Land and other places in September or October to breed. Each pair burrows -horizontally into ’
earth from two to eighteen feet. At the end of tlic hole they form a large chamber, and construct in the centre of it a nest
size, to that of the Albatross (D. Exulans), in the hollowed top of which the female lays one white egg. They seldom
vs in the daytime, and when one happens to do so, it is at once hunted by a 'Nefly' (Ossijfagw Gigantea), although
sxists at sea. From this habit of flying only by night it is called 'Night Hawk' by the sealers. Mr. Harris’s party,
Kerguelen’s Land, used to dig these birds out of their burrows and eat them; and, in order to save useless Higging
ere only made from the staves of old casks, they would hold one to the mouth of a hole and make it cry out, when,
vould answer. This is by for the best diver of all the sea-going Petrels. It seems even fond of it, and moresimilar,
except ii
leave their burri
no such jealousy
when wrecked on
for their spades
if another was inside, it
over remains under water for several .minutes, t
seen it poise itself for a moment in the air i
take a header into the water. It dives with its wings open, and uses them under water much in the sa
'hen it comes up again, shaking the water off its feathers like a dog. Sometimes I have
it a height of about twenty or twenty-five feet above the sea, and shutting its wings
Upper parts cinereous, some o f the feathers with light tips; crown of the head a little darker tlia
their outer webs, grayish on their inner. Tail brownish black, under coverts blackish brown.' All the r
Ridge of the upper mandible bluish black, as are also the lateral grooves of the lower mandible ■
Tarsi and feet yellowish green, the webs yellow, claws light brown, with black tips.
The figure is of the natural size.
ie manner as when flying.”
the rest. Primaries blackish on
st of the plumage is pure white,
rest o f bill yellow.