52 OCEANITIDÆ.
detect the exact positions of several of these hidden birds.
They were easily caught when the stones were rolled aside;
but they were in couples, merely preparing for laying, and
therefore we did not find any eggs. On our way back to
Observatory Bay after the Transit, we called at the American
Station, and were informed by Dr. Kidder that he had observed
this Petrel on the shore near Molloy Point. The seashore
in the neighbourhood of Observatory Bay is of a
different character (for the most part) from that which is
adjacent to the American Station, and, being less favourable
than it, was seldom resorted to for nesting by the Petrels.
But the country in general about our bay afforded them unlimited
accommodation; for, provided that they can find a
slope of shattered rocks with suitable chinks and crevices,
or dry spaces under stones or large boulders sheltered from
draughts, whether they be near the Sound or on the sides
and summits of high hills, they readily appropriate them. |
The egg is laid upon the bare ground within the recess
selected by the birds, either in a chance depression formed
by contiguous stones or in a shallow circular hollow excavated
in the earth by the parent. Having found numbers of their
nesting-places, I will describe my method of searching for
them. Whenever there was a calm night I used to walk
with a darkened bull’s-eye lantern towards some rocky hillside,
such as the Petrels would be likely to frequent. It
was best to shut off the light and keep it concealed, using it
only in dangerous places where falls would be attended with
injury and progress in the dark was hardly possible, lest
the birds seeing it should be silenced. On arriving at the
ground selected it was probable that Storm-Petrels would
be heard in various directions, some on the wing, others on
their nests, sounding their call at intervals of from two to
five minutes. Those on the nest could be distinguished
from others flying by their cries proceeding from fixed positions.
Having settled which of the birds should be searched
after, a cautious advance had to be made in her direction,
two or three steps at a time, when she was in full cry. As
soon as she ceased, an abrupt halt was imperative; and a
pause of some minutes might ensue before she recommenced
her cry and permitted another slight advance to be effected.
In the course of this gradual approach the position of the
bird might be ascertained approximately ; but it had to be
determined precisely; and to learn exactly where she was,
she had to be stalked in the dark noiselessly. No gleam
could be permitted to escape from the lantern. Loose stones
and falls over rocks—to avoid them it was sometimes necessary
to dispense with slippers, and feel one’s way in stockings
only ; for should the Petrel be alarmed once with the noise
or the light, she would probably remain silent a considerable
time. Now and then it ivould happen that upon the boulder
beneath which she was sitting being almost attained the
bird would cease calling. When this^ occurred, and many
minutes elapsed without her cry being resumed, it was
advisable to make a détour and approach the rock from the
opposite side, as her silence might be attributed to her seeing
a person advancing towards her, and she would probably
recommence her call so soon as he was out of sight. If she
did not, a small pebble thrown amongst the rocks would
usually elicit some sounds from her, as she would most
likely conclude that the noise was being made by her mate
returning to the nest. When the stone beneath which the
bird was domiciled was gained at last, redoubled care had to
be exercised. By stooping down and listening very attentively
her position could be accurately ascertained. Then
the lantern was suddenly turned upon her before she ha
time to creep out of sight, and her egg could be secured with
the hand, or with a spoon tied on to a stick. Sometimes I
worked without a lantern, and marked the positions of the
nests with piles of stones, so that they might be revisited by
day. Several eggs were obtained in February from ness
which had been thus marked early in the previous month.
The first egg taken by us was found by a retriever on e
22nd of January, on an island in Swain’s Bay. Captain
Fairfax sent me a nestling a day or two before we sailed for
the Cape. Two of the eggs were laid in unusual situations :
one of them was found by a man under a Pringlea plant,