The birds of the second order are well known as "scratchers." They include the domestic fowl, which has been derived from the wild jungle fowl of India, and other fowl, such as the peafowl. Quail are also included here; so are Pheasants. The absence of Pheasants from Australia is more than compensated for by the presence of the Mound-Builders. These marvellous birds, Brush Turkeys and Mallee-Fowl, retain the reptilian characteristic of not sitting ontheir eggs. Thus the young have never known their parents. The eggs are laid in a huge mound of sand and earth, which contains rotting vegetation. The heat of decomposition in this remarkable natural incubator, is quite sufficient to hatch the eggs. The young are born fully feathered, able to run at once, and able to fly the day they leave the mound. Contrast their stage of development with that of a pigeon born naked, blind, and helpless, and that of a chick born clothed with down and able to run about. There is an interesting connexion between the size of an egg and the state of development of the young bird at birth. The pigeon lays a relatively small egg, so the young pigeon does not develop far in the egg, and requires much maternal care. The hen's egg is larger, and the chick is more fully developed. The Mallee-Hen's egg is enormous, and so the young can develop much further before birth. This bird, unfortunately, is doomed to early extinction, for the fox has discovered the rich store of food in the eggs, and country dwellers have also discovered that they are delicate in flavor, and are good food. It is hoped thatthe scrubby western end of Kangaroo Island, where foxes are unknown, will prove a suitable sanctuary for them. These birds, which rank among Nature's wonders, are almost confined to the Australian region. One is found in Borneo and the Philippines, while a second is confined to the distant Nicobar Islands. Twenty-six live in Australia and its neighboring islands. One of these has spread across Wallace's line to the small Kangean Island, near Java. The Stubble Quail, a member of the Pheasant family, is nearly identical with the British Quail. Mathews and Campbell make the King Quail a sub-species of the Chinese Quail.
Quail are favorite sporting birds, but when one considers that they are worth about 9d. each as table or game birds, and that sportsmen found at Birregurra, that the crops of Quail were full of crickets, and at Kerang the Quail contained numbers of a species of weevil, it is doubtful if it is wise policy to shoot this insect-eating bird. Although it may be worth a few pence as a table bird; it is worth many shillings as a pest destroyer.
Sub-Class II.—Neognathae.Carinatae, minus Tinamidae.ORDER II.—GALLIFORMES.F. 7. MEGAPODIIDAE (4), Mound-Builders, Scrub-Fowl, Brush Turkey, Megapode, 28 sp.—27(25)A., 3(1)O.112*Mallee-Fowl, Lowan, Native Pheasant, Pheasant (e),Leipoa ocellata, N.S.W., V., S.A., W.A.Stat. r.mallee scrubs24Like a small turkey; neck light fawn-gray; back, wings spotted white, black, brown; f., smaller. Seeds, ants.F. 8.Cracidae, Curassows, Guans, 59 sp.—1(0)Nc., 59(58)Nl.F. 9.Tetraonidae, Grouse, Capercailly, Ptarmigan, Prairie-Fowl, 45 sp.—1(0)O., 19(16)P., 28(26)Nc.F. 10. PHASIANIDAE (6), Pheasants, Partridges, Peafowl, Domestic Fowls, 242 sp.—12(10)A., 137(119)O., 47(31)P., 64(58)E.163*Stubble Quail(Pectoral),Coturnix pectoralis, A., T. =vt. Eur. Quail.Nom. c.stubble,grass6.7Brown lined white, black; throat dull reddish; breast streaked black; f., less distinctly marked with black. Weed-seeds, insects. Rises with a burr-r-r.374*Brown Quail(Swamp, Partridge),Synoicus australis, N.G., A., T. =vt. Eur. Partridge.Nom. c.grassy flats6.5Upper finely-barred gray, black, chestnut; under buffy-gray with zigzag black bars; bill blue, tipped black; eyes orange; f., sim. Seeds, insects. "Bee'e quick."5 Tasmanian Quail(Silver, Greater-Brown),S. diemenensis, V., T. Like 4, but larger.Nom. r. occ.thick grass8.5
F. 7. MEGAPODIIDAE (4), Mound-Builders, Scrub-Fowl, Brush Turkey, Megapode, 28 sp.—27(25)A., 3(1)O.
11
2*Mallee-Fowl, Lowan, Native Pheasant, Pheasant (e),Leipoa ocellata, N.S.W., V., S.A., W.A.
Stat. r.mallee scrubs24
Like a small turkey; neck light fawn-gray; back, wings spotted white, black, brown; f., smaller. Seeds, ants.
F. 8.Cracidae, Curassows, Guans, 59 sp.—1(0)Nc., 59(58)Nl.
F. 9.Tetraonidae, Grouse, Capercailly, Ptarmigan, Prairie-Fowl, 45 sp.—1(0)O., 19(16)P., 28(26)Nc.
F. 10. PHASIANIDAE (6), Pheasants, Partridges, Peafowl, Domestic Fowls, 242 sp.—12(10)A., 137(119)O., 47(31)P., 64(58)E.
16
3*Stubble Quail(Pectoral),Coturnix pectoralis, A., T. =vt. Eur. Quail.
Nom. c.stubble,grass6.7
Brown lined white, black; throat dull reddish; breast streaked black; f., less distinctly marked with black. Weed-seeds, insects. Rises with a burr-r-r.
37
4*Brown Quail(Swamp, Partridge),Synoicus australis, N.G., A., T. =vt. Eur. Partridge.
Nom. c.grassy flats6.5
Upper finely-barred gray, black, chestnut; under buffy-gray with zigzag black bars; bill blue, tipped black; eyes orange; f., sim. Seeds, insects. "Bee'e quick."
5 Tasmanian Quail(Silver, Greater-Brown),S. diemenensis, V., T. Like 4, but larger.
Nom. r. occ.thick grass8.5
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 - click to enlarge
146*King Quail(Chestnut-bellied, Least, Dwarf, Swamp),Excalfactoria chinensis lineata, Philippines, Sumatra to A. exc. W.A.; sub-species of Chinese Quail.Nom. r.swamps4.5Back dark-brown; breast blue-gray; abdomen chestnut; throat black, white bands conspicuous; 1¼ oz.; f., dark-brown, spotted black; throat whitish; under barred black. Weed-seeds, insects.F. 11.Numididae, Guinea-Fowls, 23 sp. E.F. 12.Meleagridae, Turkeys, 5 sp.—4(2)Nc., 3(1)Nl.F. 13.Odontophoridae, American Quails, Bob-Whites, 72 sp.—18(10)Nc., 62(54)Nl.
14
6*King Quail(Chestnut-bellied, Least, Dwarf, Swamp),Excalfactoria chinensis lineata, Philippines, Sumatra to A. exc. W.A.; sub-species of Chinese Quail.
Nom. r.swamps4.5
Back dark-brown; breast blue-gray; abdomen chestnut; throat black, white bands conspicuous; 1¼ oz.; f., dark-brown, spotted black; throat whitish; under barred black. Weed-seeds, insects.
F. 11.Numididae, Guinea-Fowls, 23 sp. E.
F. 12.Meleagridae, Turkeys, 5 sp.—4(2)Nc., 3(1)Nl.
F. 13.Odontophoridae, American Quails, Bob-Whites, 72 sp.—18(10)Nc., 62(54)Nl.
Order III. comprises the 26 Bustard Quail and the peculiar Australian Plain Wanderer. Only the last species of thisBustard Quail family, the Australian Plain Wanderer has the hind toe. The females of this order of birds do the fighting.
In Quail, the rule often observed amongst birds that the male is larger and more beautiful than the female may be reversed, for here the female is sometimes larger and the more conspicuously colored. In association with this reversal of color and size, the domestic habits are changed, for, in some species at least, the female sits on the eggs but a very short time; the male then finishes the task of incubating, and brings up and educates the young family. Meantime, the female has found another mate and another clutch of eggs is left to the care of the male.
In birds having both sexes the same color each bird usually does its share of domestic work, sitting on the eggs, feeding the young, etc. Where the male is more brightly colored, he, as a rule, does not sit on the eggs, for he would be visible to a bird of prey sailing overhead, and so would probably be killed and the eggs taken. The great naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace, thus regards the quiet coloration of most female birds as a protection during the nesting season. The gaudy coloration of many male birds has been explained by Darwin as being due to sexual selection, the female choosing as a mate the most gaily colored or most attractive bird.
Though the sitting bird is usually protectively colored, it was our good fortune, on a Summer School excursion, attended by His Excellency the Governor (Sir Thomas Gibson-Carmichael), a keen Nature-lover, and the Director of Education (Mr. F. Tate), to find the gorgeously-colored male Golden-breasted Whistler (Thickhead) sitting on the eggs in full daylight. It was noted, however, that the open nest was unusually well protected by an overhead bushy branch.
ORDER III.—TURNICIFORMES, HEMIPODES.F. 14. TURNICIDAE (8), Button (Bustard) Quail, 27 sp.—14(14)A., 9(6)O., 3(0)P., 4(4)E.7267 Red-Backed Quail(Black-backed, Orange-breasted),Turnix maculosa, Cel., N.G., N.A., E.A., S.A.Nom. r.marshy7Back brown; crown blackish; sides, breast large black spots; abdomen lighter; no hind toe; f., larger. Weed-seeds, insects.8*Painted Quail(Speckled, Butterfly), Varied Turnix, New Holland Partridge (e),T. varia, A., T.Nom. r.sandy8Upper rufous-brown with buff, black lines; breast, face spotted; no hind toe; f., larger. Weed-seeds, insects.9 Red-chested Quail(Chestnut-breasted, Yellow),T. pyrrhothorax, A. exc. W.A.Nom. v.r.marshy6Upper dark-brown with buff, black lines; breast sandy-red; abdomen whitish; no hind toe; f., much larger, brighter. Weed-seeds, insects.10 Little Quail(Dottrel, Swift-flying, Button),T. velox, A.Nom. c.open plains5.5Upper rufous with chestnut, black lines; breast rufous; abdomen white; no hind toe; f., much larger. Weed-seeds, insects.1111*Plain Wanderer, Turkey Quail,Pedionomus torquatus, A. exc. W.A.Mig. r.grass, m., 4.8; f., 6.3Brown; broad black, white spotted collar; light band on wing; breast chestnut; hind toe; m., smaller, paler, faint collar. Weed-seeds, insects.F. 15.Pteroclididae, Sand-Grouse, Rock-Pigeons (e), 17 sp.—7(2)O., 8(1)P., 12(7)E.
F. 14. TURNICIDAE (8), Button (Bustard) Quail, 27 sp.—14(14)A., 9(6)O., 3(0)P., 4(4)E.
726
7 Red-Backed Quail(Black-backed, Orange-breasted),Turnix maculosa, Cel., N.G., N.A., E.A., S.A.
Nom. r.marshy7
Back brown; crown blackish; sides, breast large black spots; abdomen lighter; no hind toe; f., larger. Weed-seeds, insects.
8*Painted Quail(Speckled, Butterfly), Varied Turnix, New Holland Partridge (e),T. varia, A., T.
Nom. r.sandy8
Upper rufous-brown with buff, black lines; breast, face spotted; no hind toe; f., larger. Weed-seeds, insects.
9 Red-chested Quail(Chestnut-breasted, Yellow),T. pyrrhothorax, A. exc. W.A.
Nom. v.r.marshy6
Upper dark-brown with buff, black lines; breast sandy-red; abdomen whitish; no hind toe; f., much larger, brighter. Weed-seeds, insects.
10 Little Quail(Dottrel, Swift-flying, Button),T. velox, A.
Nom. c.open plains5.5
Upper rufous with chestnut, black lines; breast rufous; abdomen white; no hind toe; f., much larger. Weed-seeds, insects.
11
11*Plain Wanderer, Turkey Quail,Pedionomus torquatus, A. exc. W.A.
Mig. r.grass, m., 4.8; f., 6.3
Brown; broad black, white spotted collar; light band on wing; breast chestnut; hind toe; m., smaller, paler, faint collar. Weed-seeds, insects.
F. 15.Pteroclididae, Sand-Grouse, Rock-Pigeons (e), 17 sp.—7(2)O., 8(1)P., 12(7)E.
In Order IV. come those well-known birds—the "Cooers," Pigeons and Doves. The Australian region is the great stronghold of these often beautiful birds. It is only in this region that members of each of the five families of living Pigeons are found. Two of the five families are peculiar to the region, and nearly half the kinds of Pigeons known are found here. The finest and largest of all Pigeons are the large Crowned Pigeons of New Guinea. Unfortunately, the heads of these Pigeons are much in demand for millinery. Would that fashionable women knew the cruelty and devastation wrought by such fashions!
Amongst the most beautiful of Pigeons are, as Dr. Newton remarked, the common Bronzewing Pigeons of Australia and Tasmania. The lovely Fruit-Pigeons of East Australian scrubs are, perhaps, the most beautiful of all, so it will readily be seen how fortunate we are with regard to these birds.
The fine large Wonga-Wonga Pigeon is becoming rare. Its flesh is white, so Gould named itLeucosarcia(white flesh). It has been proposed to introduce this bird into Europe to breed for table purposes.
12, 12A, 13, 14, 15, 16 - click to enlarge
ORDER IV.—COLUMBIFORMES, PIGEONS, DOVES.F. 16. TRERONIDAE (8), FRUIT-PIGEONS, 228 sp—159(155)A., 60(56)O., 1(1)P., 12(12)E.2212 Topknot Pigeon,Lopholaimus antarcticus, E.A., T. (acc.) "Quook-quook."Stat. c.thick brushes17"This noble pigeon;" under silvery-gray; upper dark-gray; crest rust-red; eyes orange; f., sim. Native fruits.F. 17. COLUMBIDAE (2), WOOD-PIGEONS, Passenger-Pigeon, Rock-Dove, 119 sp.—41(40)A., 25(17)O., 18(10)P., 19(17)E., 4(0)Nc., 24(20)Nl.F. 18. PERISTERIDAE (15), GROUND-PIGEONS, Turtle-Doves, 198 sp.—61(55)A., 21(8)O., 10(1)P., 32(30)E., 10(0)Nc., 86(76)Nl.1612aIndian Turtle-Dove,Turtur ferrago, Siberia to Ceylon, introduced A.Mig. c.gardens,cities13Back brown; head gray; broad patch side and back of neck black spotted white; breast cinnamon; centre tail feathers blackish, rest tipped white; f., sim. Seeds.3513 Ground Dove(Peaceful), Doo-doo,Geopelia placida, A. (interior).Stat. r.grassy8.7Upper ashy-brown, barred black; chest, hind-neck gray with black lines; abdomen fawn; side tail feathers tipped white; f., sim. Small seeds. "Doo-doo."14*Diamond Dove(Little, Turtle),G. cuneata, A. (interior).Stat. r.grass8.2Upper light-brown; crown gray; under light-gray; white spots on wing; side tail tipped white; eye red; f., neck, chest pale brown. Seeds.1615 Little Green Pigeon,Chalcophaps chrysochlora, Mol., N. Heb., N. Cal., Lord Howe Is., A. exc. S.A., W.A. Melancholy bellowing note.v.r.dense scrubs9.5Rich brown; head, short tail darker; wings much green; shoulder white; f., less brilliant. Fallen berries.2216*Bronzewing Pigeon(Scrub),Phaps chalcoptera, A., T.Nom. c.open,forest13.5Upper brown marked lighter; cap whitish; line below eye, throat white; breast, back of head vinous; bronze wing; legs red; f., head gray. Seeds, fruits.
F. 16. TRERONIDAE (8), FRUIT-PIGEONS, 228 sp—159(155)A., 60(56)O., 1(1)P., 12(12)E.
22
12 Topknot Pigeon,Lopholaimus antarcticus, E.A., T. (acc.) "Quook-quook."
Stat. c.thick brushes17
"This noble pigeon;" under silvery-gray; upper dark-gray; crest rust-red; eyes orange; f., sim. Native fruits.
F. 17. COLUMBIDAE (2), WOOD-PIGEONS, Passenger-Pigeon, Rock-Dove, 119 sp.—41(40)A., 25(17)O., 18(10)P., 19(17)E., 4(0)Nc., 24(20)Nl.
F. 18. PERISTERIDAE (15), GROUND-PIGEONS, Turtle-Doves, 198 sp.—61(55)A., 21(8)O., 10(1)P., 32(30)E., 10(0)Nc., 86(76)Nl.
16
12aIndian Turtle-Dove,Turtur ferrago, Siberia to Ceylon, introduced A.
Mig. c.gardens,cities13
Back brown; head gray; broad patch side and back of neck black spotted white; breast cinnamon; centre tail feathers blackish, rest tipped white; f., sim. Seeds.
35
13 Ground Dove(Peaceful), Doo-doo,Geopelia placida, A. (interior).
Stat. r.grassy8.7
Upper ashy-brown, barred black; chest, hind-neck gray with black lines; abdomen fawn; side tail feathers tipped white; f., sim. Small seeds. "Doo-doo."
14*Diamond Dove(Little, Turtle),G. cuneata, A. (interior).
Stat. r.grass8.2
Upper light-brown; crown gray; under light-gray; white spots on wing; side tail tipped white; eye red; f., neck, chest pale brown. Seeds.
16
15 Little Green Pigeon,Chalcophaps chrysochlora, Mol., N. Heb., N. Cal., Lord Howe Is., A. exc. S.A., W.A. Melancholy bellowing note.
v.r.dense scrubs9.5
Rich brown; head, short tail darker; wings much green; shoulder white; f., less brilliant. Fallen berries.
22
16*Bronzewing Pigeon(Scrub),Phaps chalcoptera, A., T.
Nom. c.open,forest13.5
Upper brown marked lighter; cap whitish; line below eye, throat white; breast, back of head vinous; bronze wing; legs red; f., head gray. Seeds, fruits.
17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 - click to enlarge
17 Brush Bronzewing Pigeon(Little Bronze),P. elegans, A., T.Nom. r.sandy13Upper chestnut-brown; breast blue-gray; throat, crown chestnut; bronze wings; f., crown gray. Seeds.1118 Crested Pigeon(Topknot (e), Crested Bronzewing),Ocyphaps lophotes, A. Seeds.Nom. r.inland plains13Upper fawn; crown, under gray; crest black; black bars on wings; tail tipped white; eyes orange; f., sim.1119 Wonga-Wonga Pigeon,Leucosarcia melanoleuca, E.A. Seeds, fallen fruits.Stat. r.coast-, (hillside-)brushes15Back, breast slaty-gray; wings brown; crown, throat, abdomen white; sides spotted black; f., sim.F. 19.Gouridae, Crowned Pigeons, 8 sp. A. (N.G.).F. 20.Didunculidae, Tooth-billed Pigeons, 1 sp. A. (Samoa).F. 21.Opisthocomidae, Hoactzin, 1 sp. Nl.
17 Brush Bronzewing Pigeon(Little Bronze),P. elegans, A., T.
Nom. r.sandy13
Upper chestnut-brown; breast blue-gray; throat, crown chestnut; bronze wings; f., crown gray. Seeds.
11
18 Crested Pigeon(Topknot (e), Crested Bronzewing),Ocyphaps lophotes, A. Seeds.
Nom. r.inland plains13
Upper fawn; crown, under gray; crest black; black bars on wings; tail tipped white; eyes orange; f., sim.
11
19 Wonga-Wonga Pigeon,Leucosarcia melanoleuca, E.A. Seeds, fallen fruits.
Stat. r.coast-, (hillside-)brushes15
Back, breast slaty-gray; wings brown; crown, throat, abdomen white; sides spotted black; f., sim.
F. 19.Gouridae, Crowned Pigeons, 8 sp. A. (N.G.).
F. 20.Didunculidae, Tooth-billed Pigeons, 1 sp. A. (Samoa).
F. 21.Opisthocomidae, Hoactzin, 1 sp. Nl.
The birds of Order V. are amongst the successes in the struggle for existence, for they are found the world over.
The Landrail or Corn-Crake, the Little Crake, Spotted Crake, Moor-Hen, Purple Gallinule, and the lobed-toed Coot, of other countries, are represented by similar birds here.
They are largely swamp-dwellers, and conditions about swamps apparently do not vary much from continent to continent. There is a full supply of vegetable and animal food, and there is good shelter in the thick reed-beds. The smaller members of the family are seldom seen, for they skulk amongst the reeds, and seldom show themselves.
Many of these birds are long-toed, and are beautifully adapted for life about the soft mud and floating vegetation of lagoons and swamps. Though the feet are not webbed, several of these swamp-dwellers swim well. Thus the Little Crake is an expert swimmer and diver.
There is one Australian bird not represented in other countries. This is the handsome, bantam-like Black-tailed Native-Hen. At long intervals the birds appear in thousands, and, being largely vegetable feeders, they have sometimes done considerable damage to crops.
During one such irruption in 1846, the birds invaded the streetsof Adelaide. Others invaded the Geraldton district, and even reached Perth in 1886. Northern Victoria was visited in 1909.
Some of the members of this group are known to all; indeed, when you have finished reading this lecture, I expect to have created in your mind an idea that bird study is very simple—that you know at least one of each of the groups of birds. One further advantage of bird study is that so few birds are found in any district. Thus, only 880 birds have ever been recorded from Australia, whereas there are over 9,000 kinds of native flowering plants, not to mention non-flowering plants. In very few districts could a list of 100 different kinds of birds be compiled in one year.
Again, while it is impossible to talk popularly of native plants, because they have no common names, that does not apply to birds, for bird-lovers have given a simple name to each bird. Even children, therefore, can talk definitely and exactly about the different kinds. This is a great advantage. Again, as birds are living, moving, loving, and beautiful animals, they have always been favorite objects of study, and so we know more about them thanabout any other division of the animal kingdom. Thus you will, I hope, find that you know far more about the subject than you at first thought.
ORDER V.—RALLIFORMES.F. 22. RALLIDAE (16), RAILS, 204 sp.—68(60)A., 37(18)O., 18(0)P., 37(24)E., 17(7)Nc., 72(65)Nl.41720 Slate-breasted Rail(Short-toed), Lewin Water-Rail,Eulabeornis (Hypotaenidia) brachypus, A., T., Auckland Is. =vt. Eur. Water-Rail.[~20Rallus pectoralis.]Stat. r.rivers,lagoons8.5Upper blackish striped olive; wings, flanks, abdomen barred black, white; throat, breast, slate-gray; f., duller.21*Pectoral Rail, Landrail,E. philippinensis, Malay Arch. to A., N.Z., Pac. Is. =vt. Eur. Corn-Crake (Landrail); f., young sim. Insects, grass.Mig. c.grassy10.5Upper brown spotted white; under finely-barred black; white; sandy-buff bar on chest; light stripe above eye.41722*Australian Spotted Crake, Water-Crake,Porzana fluminea, A. =vt. Eur. Spotted Crake.Stat. r.rivers7Upper dark-brown, spotted white; abdomen, flanks blackish barred white; breast gray; swims; f., sim. Insects.
F. 22. RALLIDAE (16), RAILS, 204 sp.—68(60)A., 37(18)O., 18(0)P., 37(24)E., 17(7)Nc., 72(65)Nl.
417
20 Slate-breasted Rail(Short-toed), Lewin Water-Rail,Eulabeornis (Hypotaenidia) brachypus, A., T., Auckland Is. =vt. Eur. Water-Rail.[~20Rallus pectoralis.]
Stat. r.rivers,lagoons8.5
Upper blackish striped olive; wings, flanks, abdomen barred black, white; throat, breast, slate-gray; f., duller.
21*Pectoral Rail, Landrail,E. philippinensis, Malay Arch. to A., N.Z., Pac. Is. =vt. Eur. Corn-Crake (Landrail); f., young sim. Insects, grass.
Mig. c.grassy10.5
Upper brown spotted white; under finely-barred black; white; sandy-buff bar on chest; light stripe above eye.
417
22*Australian Spotted Crake, Water-Crake,Porzana fluminea, A. =vt. Eur. Spotted Crake.
Stat. r.rivers7
Upper dark-brown, spotted white; abdomen, flanks blackish barred white; breast gray; swims; f., sim. Insects.
21, 22, 26, 27, 30, 67, 71, 72, 73 - click to enlarge
23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 - click to enlarge
23 Australian Little Crake,P. palustris, A. =vt. Eur. Little Crake.Stat. r.river,reed-beds6Upper rusty-brown; throat, breast gray; crown blackish; flanks, lower-abdomen barred black, white; swims, dives; f., sim. Water-animals.24 Spotless Crake(Leaden, Tabuan), Swamp-Rail, Little Swamp-Hen, Putoto,P. plumbea, Philippines to A., N. Heb., N. Cal., Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, N.Z., Chatham Is.Stat. c.reed-beds6.3Upper reddish-brown; under dark slate-gray; throat whitish; eyes pink; f., young sim. Water-animals.2225 Black-tailed Native-Hen, Gallinule (e),Tribonyx ventralis, A.Mig. flocks, occ. r.lagoons,rivers15Upper brown; under bluish-gray; white marks conspicuous on flanks; upper-bill light-green; lower red at base; legs brick-red; runs, seldom flies; f., sim. Water-animals, seeds.1826*Black Moor-Hen(-Gallinule),Gallinula tenebrosa, N.G., A. =vt. cos. Gallinule.Stat. c.lagoons,rivers15Grayish-black; back deep-brown; under tail white at sides; scarlet garter above knee; base bill, plate on forehead blood-red; no white on flanks; jerks tail; f., smaller. Water-animals, plants.21627*Bald-Coot, Purple Gallinule, Black-backed Water (Swamp, Macquarie) Hen, Pukeko, Redbill (e),Porphyrio melanonotus, N.G., A., T., Norfolk Is., Lord Howe Is., N.Z. =vt. cos. bird.Stat. c.lagoons,rivers17.5Hind-neck, breast, flanks indigo-blue; back, wings, tail black; under tail white; eyes orange-red; bill, legs red; jerks tail; f., smaller. Insects, vegetable food.11328 Australian Coot, Dabchick (e),Fulica australis, A., T., =vt. cos. bird.Stat. c.lakes,bays14Sooty-black; bill bluish-gray; eyes red; lobed feet; f., sim. Water-insects, snails.F. 23.Heliornithidae. Finfoot, 5 sp.—1(1)O., 3(3)E., 1(1)Nl.
23 Australian Little Crake,P. palustris, A. =vt. Eur. Little Crake.
Stat. r.river,reed-beds6
Upper rusty-brown; throat, breast gray; crown blackish; flanks, lower-abdomen barred black, white; swims, dives; f., sim. Water-animals.
24 Spotless Crake(Leaden, Tabuan), Swamp-Rail, Little Swamp-Hen, Putoto,P. plumbea, Philippines to A., N. Heb., N. Cal., Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, N.Z., Chatham Is.
Stat. c.reed-beds6.3
Upper reddish-brown; under dark slate-gray; throat whitish; eyes pink; f., young sim. Water-animals.
22
25 Black-tailed Native-Hen, Gallinule (e),Tribonyx ventralis, A.
Mig. flocks, occ. r.lagoons,rivers15
Upper brown; under bluish-gray; white marks conspicuous on flanks; upper-bill light-green; lower red at base; legs brick-red; runs, seldom flies; f., sim. Water-animals, seeds.
18
26*Black Moor-Hen(-Gallinule),Gallinula tenebrosa, N.G., A. =vt. cos. Gallinule.
Stat. c.lagoons,rivers15
Grayish-black; back deep-brown; under tail white at sides; scarlet garter above knee; base bill, plate on forehead blood-red; no white on flanks; jerks tail; f., smaller. Water-animals, plants.
216
27*Bald-Coot, Purple Gallinule, Black-backed Water (Swamp, Macquarie) Hen, Pukeko, Redbill (e),Porphyrio melanonotus, N.G., A., T., Norfolk Is., Lord Howe Is., N.Z. =vt. cos. bird.
Stat. c.lagoons,rivers17.5
Hind-neck, breast, flanks indigo-blue; back, wings, tail black; under tail white; eyes orange-red; bill, legs red; jerks tail; f., smaller. Insects, vegetable food.
113
28 Australian Coot, Dabchick (e),Fulica australis, A., T., =vt. cos. bird.
Stat. c.lakes,bays14
Sooty-black; bill bluish-gray; eyes red; lobed feet; f., sim. Water-insects, snails.
F. 23.Heliornithidae. Finfoot, 5 sp.—1(1)O., 3(3)E., 1(1)Nl.
In the next Order, the Sixth, there are three Australian birds. They are called Grebes. Bird names often reflect some habit, e.g., Scratchers, Cooers. So Grebes are often called Divers. But the Divers of the ornithologist are Northern Hemisphere birds, placed in the next family (25).
There is a widespread tradition to the effect that Grebes wait for the flash of the cap, and then dive before the bullet can reach them. They are, indeed, remarkably active in the water, but are absurd on land. Their legs are set so far back that it is almost impossible for them to walk. Their toes are not webbed, but are broadly lobed.
The Great Crested Grebe is identical with the British bird, for it is found all through the Eastern Hemisphere.
This is a remarkable distribution, when we consider that the bird, by reason of its very small wings, is a poor flyer, and is almost helpless on land. Such a wide distribution of a creature possessing poor means of locomotion indicates that the animal must have existed for a long time, so that it has been able to gradually extend its range. Thus we conclude it is an ancient form.
29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 - click to enlarge
ORDER VI.—PODICIPEDIDIFORMES.F. 24. PODICIPEDIDAE (3), GREBES, 25 sp.—5(2)A., 8(2)O., 6(0)P., 5(1)E., 6(0)Nc., 11(7)Nl.21529 Black-throated Grebe(Little), Dabchick (e), White-bellied Diver (e),Podiceps novae-hollandiae, Java, N.G., A., N. Cal., =vt. Eur. Little Grebe.Stat. c.lagoons9.5Upper blackish-brown; white patch on wing; under silvery-gray; throat, side-face black (summer), brown (winter); beautiful fur-like plumage; lobed toes; f., sim. Small fish, snails, insects.30*Hoary-headed Grebe, Dabchick (e), "Tom Pudding," P.poliocephalus, A., T.Stat. c.lagoons,river9.5Upper brown; wings white patch; under silvery-gray; head short white hair-like plumes (summer); head brown, throat buff (winter); fur-like plumage; lobed toes; f., sim. Small fish, snails, insects.1331 Great Crested Grebe(Tippet), Loon, Gaunt, Carr Goose,P. cristatus(Lophaethyia cristata, Mathews' Handlist), Eur., N. Asia, Japan, Africa, India to A., T., N.Z.Stat. r.lakes,rivers24Upper brown; under glistening-white; crown black; neck-frill chestnut edged black (summer); face, neck whitish (winter); fur-like plumage; lobed toes; f., sim. Small fish, snails, insects.F. 25.Colymbidae (Gaviidae), True Divers, Loons, 5 sp.—1(0)O., 5(0)P., 2(0)E., 5(0)Nc.
F. 24. PODICIPEDIDAE (3), GREBES, 25 sp.—5(2)A., 8(2)O., 6(0)P., 5(1)E., 6(0)Nc., 11(7)Nl.
215
29 Black-throated Grebe(Little), Dabchick (e), White-bellied Diver (e),Podiceps novae-hollandiae, Java, N.G., A., N. Cal., =vt. Eur. Little Grebe.
Stat. c.lagoons9.5
Upper blackish-brown; white patch on wing; under silvery-gray; throat, side-face black (summer), brown (winter); beautiful fur-like plumage; lobed toes; f., sim. Small fish, snails, insects.
30*Hoary-headed Grebe, Dabchick (e), "Tom Pudding," P.poliocephalus, A., T.
Stat. c.lagoons,river9.5
Upper brown; wings white patch; under silvery-gray; head short white hair-like plumes (summer); head brown, throat buff (winter); fur-like plumage; lobed toes; f., sim. Small fish, snails, insects.
13
31 Great Crested Grebe(Tippet), Loon, Gaunt, Carr Goose,P. cristatus(Lophaethyia cristata, Mathews' Handlist), Eur., N. Asia, Japan, Africa, India to A., T., N.Z.
Stat. r.lakes,rivers24
Upper brown; under glistening-white; crown black; neck-frill chestnut edged black (summer); face, neck whitish (winter); fur-like plumage; lobed toes; f., sim. Small fish, snails, insects.
F. 25.Colymbidae (Gaviidae), True Divers, Loons, 5 sp.—1(0)O., 5(0)P., 2(0)E., 5(0)Nc.
In the next order come those remarkable birds, Penguins. As so much has been said about Penguins by Lieutenant Shackleton's party, they have caught the popular fancy, and people are much interested in them. Many Australians do not know that three Penguins are found on their own coast. It was one of the sights of the 1910 Summer School at Portsea to sit on the balcony and watch the Penguins chasing their prey in the clear waters in front. Their wings are paddles, being flattened and devoid of quills. The wings are not folded, but are carried hanging awkwardly at the side.
During the interest aroused by Peary's expedition to the North Pole, an illustrated weekly paper published a cartoon, which showed the American Eagle sitting on the North Pole and reading a proclamation to an audience of Penguins. One thing is unfortunate about this—Penguins are unknown in the Northern Hemisphere. Indeed, they support the geographer in his contention that, while the Pacific Ocean is very ancient, the Atlantic Ocean has been formed much more recently, for Penguins are found up the Pacific even to the Galapagos Is. on the Equator, but have not spread into the Atlantic Ocean beyond Tristan da Cunha, at the extreme South.
ORDER VII.—SPHENISCIFORMES.F. 26. SPHENISCIDAE (3), PENGUINS, 17 sp.—11(7)A., 6(1)E., 9(4)Nl.1532 Crested Penguin(Tufted, Jackass, Victoria),Penguinus (Catarrhactes) chrysocome, Southern Ocean (circumpolar), V., T., N.Z.Occ. r.coasts27Wing a paddle; upper black; under silvery-white; crest yellow; f., yellow crest feathers shorter. Sea-animals.2333 Little Penguin(Little Blue),Eudyptula minor, N.S.W., V., S.A., T., N.Z.Stat. c.coasts18Upper light-blue; under glistening-white; wing a paddle; f., sim. Sea-animals, plants.34 Fairy Penguin,E. undina, V., T., N.Z.Stat. c.coast13.5Like 33, but smaller.
F. 26. SPHENISCIDAE (3), PENGUINS, 17 sp.—11(7)A., 6(1)E., 9(4)Nl.
15
32 Crested Penguin(Tufted, Jackass, Victoria),Penguinus (Catarrhactes) chrysocome, Southern Ocean (circumpolar), V., T., N.Z.
Occ. r.coasts27
Wing a paddle; upper black; under silvery-white; crest yellow; f., yellow crest feathers shorter. Sea-animals.
23
33 Little Penguin(Little Blue),Eudyptula minor, N.S.W., V., S.A., T., N.Z.
Stat. c.coasts18
Upper light-blue; under glistening-white; wing a paddle; f., sim. Sea-animals, plants.
34 Fairy Penguin,E. undina, V., T., N.Z.
Stat. c.coast13.5
Like 33, but smaller.
Order VIII. includes the true ocean birds—those wanderers seen far from any land by ocean travellers. Indeed, many of them do not go near land except to breed. Then they usually repair to small lonely islands often with bold precipitous shores.
Ocean birds are readily divisible into four families. The first is made up of the 25 Storm-Petrels; the second of the 75 Petrels, Shearwaters, Fulmars, and Dove-Petrels; the third family comprises only the three small southern Diving-Petrels; while the fourth contains the nineteen noble Albatrosses.
Though Storm-Petrels and Petrels of various kinds may be seen in the Northern Hemisphere, yet the Southern Hemisphere, with its enormous expanse of water, is the headquarters of these birds.
The dainty, tiny Storm-Petrels, fearlessly tripping over the mountain billows in times of great danger to the sailor, were considered birds of ill-omen. Their peculiar flight possibly helped this idea. Gould closely studied them and other ocean birds during his voyages on sailing ships. He describes them as "fluttering over the glassy surface of the ocean during calms with an easy butterfly-like motion of the wings, and buffeting and breasting with equal vigor the crests of the loftiest waves of the storm; at one moment descending into their deep troughs, and, at the next, rising with the utmost alertness to their highest point, apparently from an impulse communicated as much by strikingthe surface of the water with its webbed feet as by the action of the wings."
This habit of "walking" on the sea is said to be responsible for the name "Petrel," which is associated with Saint Peter, who, of old, walked on the waters. Sailors call them Mother Carey's Chickens.
The largest Australian Storm-Petrel is the Whitefaced Storm-Petrel, whose scientific name,Pelagodroma, means "open sea wanderer." It has been recorded even from the North Atlantic and Britain. Many thousands of these birds still nest on Mud Island, a sandbank just inside Port Phillip Heads. The presence there of a true ocean wanderer is a valuable piece of evidence to support the geographer in his claim that Port Phillip Bay once had a wide opening, which has been almost closed by the drift of sand across its mouth. The Storm-Petrels have probably nested there for many, many centuries. Long may they continue to do so! They hurt no one, and they are a feature of interest to all interested in the flora and fauna of Australia, and to natural history students and Nature-lovers in general.
The Shackleton expedition met the Wilson (Yellow-webbed) Storm-Petrel, in considerable numbers, far south. Two specimens were presented by Lieutenant Shackleton to the National Museum, Melbourne. However, recently our Museum received, through the agency of two schoolboys, a specimen that is valued even more highly, for it is Australian.
The boys, on their way to the Marshaltown State School (Mr. H. B. Williamson, H.T.), found a bird near a fence about nine miles inland. It had evidently been killed by flying into the fence in the dark. Using theBird-List, the boys discovered that it was a Yellow-webbed Storm-Petrel, a truly pelagic bird, as its name,Oceanites oceanicusindicates. Mr. Williamson, to show that theListwas of assistance, even to boys, in identifying birds they had never heard of before, left the bird at the Continuation School, Geelong. Here it was recognized as a valuable specimen, and was at once sent to Mr. Kershaw, curator of the National Museum. It is now in the Australian collection.
The true Petrels are very numerous in kinds and individuals.Darwin thought that the most numerous of birds was a Petrel. One of great interest is the "Mutton-Bird," or Short-tailed Petrel. This romantic bird breeds by the million on Cape Woolamai and other places about Bass Strait.
Just as the mallee farmer is dependent on his annual wheat harvest, so the remarkable colony of people living on Cape Barren Island is entirely dependent on the annual Mutton-Bird harvest. They claim to take about a million and a half birds each year. The number is probably much exaggerated, for Littler, in his valuableBirds of Tasmania, gives the number as 555,000 for 1909, valued at about £4000. Bass and Flinders were glad to replenish their stores with young Mutton-Birds. Flinders calculated that one flock of these birds he met in Bass Strait contained 132,000,000 birds. They lay but one egg, so one would expect the Petrel to be long-lived. We found a closely-similar bird nesting on Mast Head Island, Capricorn Group.
The three southern Diving Petrels, forming the next family, are much smaller than the common Petrels. They are expert divers, and are found mainly in the far South.
The mighty Albatross, with its enormous wing-span of possibly up to 14 feet, is also largely a southern bird. That this bird has spread to the North Pacific Ocean, but has not yet penetrated any distance into the Atlantic, is another piece of evidence as to the age of these two oceans. The Pacific Ocean is a very ancient depression, while the Atlantic is much younger, and has been formed since the lands which border its shores. The Black-browed Albatross, however, was once seen in England. Probably this bird might have been carried north on board ship, and then set free again. Fossil bones of Albatrosses have been found in France and England. Their remarkable power of wheeling round and round a vessel, with no perceptible movement of the wing, has excited much interest and controversy.
Mr. Froude, in hisOceana, has given a vivid description of this flight. The Albatross "wheels in circles round and round and for ever round the ship—now far behind, now sweeping past in a long, rapid curve, like a perfect skater on an untouched field of ice. There is no effort; watch as closely as you will, you rarely or never see a stroke of the mighty pinion. The flight is generally near the water, often close to it. You lose sight of thebird as he disappears in the hollow between the waves, and catch him again as he rises over the crest; but how he rises, and whence comes the propelling force, are to the eye inexplicable; he alters merely the angle at which the wings are inclined...."
Gould considered that many of these birds circumnavigate the globe many times. They follow ships for days together.
Albatrosses are sometimes caught by those on board ship. One means of protection employed by these birds is to discharge a considerable quantity of oily matter at an intruder. This has led sailors to declare that the bird is "seasick." Some claim that this is not done for protection, but is due to fright.
The members of the Australasian Ornithologists' Union, when on a trip in theManawatuto the Bass Strait Islands found it tantalizing to see the beautiful Shy Albatrosses sitting on theirnests on the precipitous granite Albatross Rock, and be unable to land owing to the rough sea that was running. We waited a second and a third day, in the shelter of Chimney Corner, Three Hummocks Island, but finally had to depart with but a distant acquaintance with this fine bird. When they return to nest the succeeding year, the parents drive last year's brood off the island. Does the young live on its fat all through the cold, rough winter, or do the parents return at intervals to feed it? Some recent records by a French party on one of these lonely nesting islands show that in some cases, at least, the parents do feed the young at night during their long wait. The sitting bird is fed by her mate. He opens his mouth, and she inserts her bill, and chooses a dainty for herself.
A Monograph of the Petrels, by F. Du Cane Godman, F.R.S., Pres. British Ornithologists' Union, was consulted for Order VIII.
35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 - click to enlarge
ORDER VIII.—PROCELLARIIFORMES, TUBINARES, TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS.F. 27. PROCELLARIIDAE (5), STORM-PETRELS, MOTHER CAREY'S CHICKENS, 25 sp—10(3)A., 2(0)O., 10(0)P., 7(0)E., 13(4)Nc., 13(3)Nl.2335 Wilson Storm-Petrel(Yellow-webbed, Flat-clawed),Oceanites oceanica, S. Polar regions N. to British Is. (acc), Labrador (acc.), India, A., N.Z.c.ocean6.8Blackish; base tail above below white; legs black; webs yellow; f., sim. Shellfish, small fish, greasy.36 Gray-backed Storm-Petrel,O. (Garrodia) nereis, S. Oceans, A., T., N.Z.r.ocean6.7Sooty; abdomen, under base tail whitish; bill, feet black; f., sim. Oily substances, shellfish.1137 White-breasted Storm-Petrel(White-faced), Frigate Petrel, Mother Carey's Chicken,Pelagodroma marina, S. Oceans, N. to Canary Is., U.S. (acc.)c. Mud. Is.ocean8Upper brownish-gray; crown, line under eye, edge of wing, tail black; under, face, throat, line above eye white; bill, feet black; webs yellow; f., sim. Shellfish, oily matters.2438 Black-bellied Storm-Petrel,Cymodroma (Fregetta) melanogaster, S. Oceans, to N. Atl., A., T.r.ocean7.5Sooty-black; under base tail, flanks white; bill, feet black; f., sim. Sea-animals, oily.39 White-bellied Storm-Petrel,C. grallaria, S. Oceans to B. of Bengal, Atl. to Cancer, Florida (acc).r.ocean7.2Upper, neck, chest black; under, rump white; bill, feet black; f., sim. Sea-animals, oily.F. 28. PUFFINIDAE (29), PETRELS, Shearwaters, Fulmars, Prions, 75 sp.—47(16)A., 7(0)O., 24(0)P., 30(2)E., 22(4)Nc., 37(7)Nl.72540 Wedge-tailed Petrel(Shearwater),Puffinus sphenurus, A. seas.v.r.ocean17.5Sooty-brown; wing blackish; tail black; throat ashy-gray; under dull ashy-brown; bill lead color; legs, feet livid flesh color, dusky on inner side of leg and toe. Like 42, but tail longer; f., sim. Food as for 41.
F. 27. PROCELLARIIDAE (5), STORM-PETRELS, MOTHER CAREY'S CHICKENS, 25 sp—10(3)A., 2(0)O., 10(0)P., 7(0)E., 13(4)Nc., 13(3)Nl.
23
35 Wilson Storm-Petrel(Yellow-webbed, Flat-clawed),Oceanites oceanica, S. Polar regions N. to British Is. (acc), Labrador (acc.), India, A., N.Z.
c.ocean6.8
Blackish; base tail above below white; legs black; webs yellow; f., sim. Shellfish, small fish, greasy.
36 Gray-backed Storm-Petrel,O. (Garrodia) nereis, S. Oceans, A., T., N.Z.
r.ocean6.7
Sooty; abdomen, under base tail whitish; bill, feet black; f., sim. Oily substances, shellfish.
11
37 White-breasted Storm-Petrel(White-faced), Frigate Petrel, Mother Carey's Chicken,Pelagodroma marina, S. Oceans, N. to Canary Is., U.S. (acc.)
c. Mud. Is.ocean8
Upper brownish-gray; crown, line under eye, edge of wing, tail black; under, face, throat, line above eye white; bill, feet black; webs yellow; f., sim. Shellfish, oily matters.
24
38 Black-bellied Storm-Petrel,Cymodroma (Fregetta) melanogaster, S. Oceans, to N. Atl., A., T.
r.ocean7.5
Sooty-black; under base tail, flanks white; bill, feet black; f., sim. Sea-animals, oily.
39 White-bellied Storm-Petrel,C. grallaria, S. Oceans to B. of Bengal, Atl. to Cancer, Florida (acc).
r.ocean7.2
Upper, neck, chest black; under, rump white; bill, feet black; f., sim. Sea-animals, oily.
F. 28. PUFFINIDAE (29), PETRELS, Shearwaters, Fulmars, Prions, 75 sp.—47(16)A., 7(0)O., 24(0)P., 30(2)E., 22(4)Nc., 37(7)Nl.
725
40 Wedge-tailed Petrel(Shearwater),Puffinus sphenurus, A. seas.
v.r.ocean17.5
Sooty-brown; wing blackish; tail black; throat ashy-gray; under dull ashy-brown; bill lead color; legs, feet livid flesh color, dusky on inner side of leg and toe. Like 42, but tail longer; f., sim. Food as for 41.
41, 42, 43, 44, 45 - click to enlarge
41 Allied Petrel, Gould Shearwater (Little Dusky),P. assimilis, A. and N.Z. Seas, Atl. O. to Madiera Is., Nova Scotia (acc.).Flocks v.r.ocean11Upper, crown, wings, tail sooty-black; side face, under white; side-chest dusky; bill dark horn-colour; legs greenish-yellow; f., sim. Shrimps, shellfish, seaweed.42 Short-tailed Petrel(Sooty, Bonaparte), Slender-billed Shearwater (U.S.), Seal-Bird, Mutton-Bird (V.),P. brevicaudus (tenuirostris), A., Bass St., T., N.Z. Migrates to Alaska, Japan.Flocks, c.ocean14Sooty-brown; under paler; bill blackish-brown; legs, feet light-grey, black down outer side. Food as 41.3343 Brown Petrel(Great-Gray), Black-tailed Shearwater (U.S.), Night Hawk (e), Bully, Kuia,Procellaria (Priofinus) cinereus, S.O., California (once).r.ocean19.5Crown, upper dark brownish-gray; under white; under base tail ashy-brown; tail black; feet grayish-flesh color; outer toe brownish-black; dives; f., sim.1144 Silver-gray Petrel(Fulmar), Slender-billed Fulmar (U.S.),Priocella glacialoides, Bass St., A., T., N.Z., S. Oceans, Pacific to Japan, Alaska.c.ocean18Pearly-gray; tip-wing black; face, under silky-white; f., sim. Dead animals, oil, cuttlefish.3345 Black Petrel(Fulmar), Taonui,Procellaria (Majaqueus) parkinsoni, A. and N.Z. Seas.r.ocean18Sooty black; f., sim. Food see 41.93246 Great-winged Petrel(Long-winged, Gray-faced),Æstrelata macroptera, A., N.Z., S. Oceans.v.r.ocean15Dark brown; about bill, throat gray; wing-quills, tail black; bill, feet black; f., sim. Food see 41.
41 Allied Petrel, Gould Shearwater (Little Dusky),P. assimilis, A. and N.Z. Seas, Atl. O. to Madiera Is., Nova Scotia (acc.).
Flocks v.r.ocean11
Upper, crown, wings, tail sooty-black; side face, under white; side-chest dusky; bill dark horn-colour; legs greenish-yellow; f., sim. Shrimps, shellfish, seaweed.
42 Short-tailed Petrel(Sooty, Bonaparte), Slender-billed Shearwater (U.S.), Seal-Bird, Mutton-Bird (V.),P. brevicaudus (tenuirostris), A., Bass St., T., N.Z. Migrates to Alaska, Japan.
Flocks, c.ocean14
Sooty-brown; under paler; bill blackish-brown; legs, feet light-grey, black down outer side. Food as 41.
33
43 Brown Petrel(Great-Gray), Black-tailed Shearwater (U.S.), Night Hawk (e), Bully, Kuia,Procellaria (Priofinus) cinereus, S.O., California (once).
r.ocean19.5
Crown, upper dark brownish-gray; under white; under base tail ashy-brown; tail black; feet grayish-flesh color; outer toe brownish-black; dives; f., sim.
11
44 Silver-gray Petrel(Fulmar), Slender-billed Fulmar (U.S.),Priocella glacialoides, Bass St., A., T., N.Z., S. Oceans, Pacific to Japan, Alaska.
c.ocean18
Pearly-gray; tip-wing black; face, under silky-white; f., sim. Dead animals, oil, cuttlefish.
33
45 Black Petrel(Fulmar), Taonui,Procellaria (Majaqueus) parkinsoni, A. and N.Z. Seas.
r.ocean18
Sooty black; f., sim. Food see 41.
932
46 Great-winged Petrel(Long-winged, Gray-faced),Æstrelata macroptera, A., N.Z., S. Oceans.
v.r.ocean15
Dark brown; about bill, throat gray; wing-quills, tail black; bill, feet black; f., sim. Food see 41.
46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51 - click to enlarge
47 Brown-headed Petrel, Solander Fulmar,Æ. solandri, 1 specimen only, Gould, Bass St.u.ocean16Head, wings, tail dark-brown; back slaty-gray, marked dark-brown; bill, legs black.48 White-winged Petrel,Æ. leucoptera, A., N.Z. to C. Horn, Fiji.r.ocean13Upper dark slaty-gray; forehead, face, under, under wing white; wings blackish-brown; eyes, bill black; legs, half toes and webs fleshy-white; tip toes and webs black; f., sim.1149 Giant Petrel(Fulmar), Mother Carey's Goose, Nelly, Glutton, Stinkpot, Vulture of the Seas,Macronectes gigantea, S. Oceans up to 30° S. Lat. Oregon (acc).c.ocean33Dark chocolate-brown; bill horn-color; has also a white phase; f., sim. Scavenger, omnivorous.1150 Cape-Petrel(Pintado, Black and White, Spotted, Pied), Cape-Pigeon (-Fulmar),Daption capensis, A., N.Z., S. Oceans to Brazil, Ceylon, Peru, acc. to California, Maine, England.Large flocks c.ocean16.5Head, hind-neck, upper-back, edge of wing, quills, chin sooty-brown; inner-wing, back white, broadly spotted sooty-brown; under white; bill, feet blackish-brown; f., sim. Food as 41.5551 Blue Petrel,Prion (Halobaena) coerulea, S. Oceans, A., T., N.Z. to Icepack, Fiji.c.ocean11Forehead, cheeks, throat, centre-chest, under white; upper grayish-blue; outer wing-quills black; tail square, tipped white; bill blackish-brown; f., sim. Cuttlefish, shellfish.
47 Brown-headed Petrel, Solander Fulmar,Æ. solandri, 1 specimen only, Gould, Bass St.
u.ocean16
Head, wings, tail dark-brown; back slaty-gray, marked dark-brown; bill, legs black.
48 White-winged Petrel,Æ. leucoptera, A., N.Z. to C. Horn, Fiji.
r.ocean13
Upper dark slaty-gray; forehead, face, under, under wing white; wings blackish-brown; eyes, bill black; legs, half toes and webs fleshy-white; tip toes and webs black; f., sim.
11
49 Giant Petrel(Fulmar), Mother Carey's Goose, Nelly, Glutton, Stinkpot, Vulture of the Seas,Macronectes gigantea, S. Oceans up to 30° S. Lat. Oregon (acc).
c.ocean33
Dark chocolate-brown; bill horn-color; has also a white phase; f., sim. Scavenger, omnivorous.
11
50 Cape-Petrel(Pintado, Black and White, Spotted, Pied), Cape-Pigeon (-Fulmar),Daption capensis, A., N.Z., S. Oceans to Brazil, Ceylon, Peru, acc. to California, Maine, England.
Large flocks c.ocean16.5
Head, hind-neck, upper-back, edge of wing, quills, chin sooty-brown; inner-wing, back white, broadly spotted sooty-brown; under white; bill, feet blackish-brown; f., sim. Food as 41.
55
51 Blue Petrel,Prion (Halobaena) coerulea, S. Oceans, A., T., N.Z. to Icepack, Fiji.
c.ocean11
Forehead, cheeks, throat, centre-chest, under white; upper grayish-blue; outer wing-quills black; tail square, tipped white; bill blackish-brown; f., sim. Cuttlefish, shellfish.
52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 - click to enlarge
52 Broad-billed Dove-Petrel(Blue-), Whale-Bird, Prion,P. vittatus, S. Oceans.c.ocean11.5Upper delicate blue-gray; head darker than back; edge shoulder, wing, tip-tail black; under, line over eye, white; flanks blue; broad bill blue tipped black; feet light-blue; f., sim. Cuttlefish.53 Banks Dove-Petrel(Blue-), Prion, Whiroia,P. banksi, S. Oceans, A., T., N.Z.r.ocean10Like 52, but bill narrower and paler blue-gray; expanded wings show black marks like letter W. Food as 54.54 Dove-Petrel, Dove-like-Petrel (-Prion), Whale-Bird (Snow-),P. desolatus, S. Oceans.c.ocean10.5Like 52, 53, but more delicate; blackish below eye; white stripe above eye; head same as back; bill straighter, more slender; f., smaller. Shellfish, oily substances.55 Fairy Dove-Petrel(-Prion), Short-billed (Gould) Blue-Petrel,P. brevirostris (ariel), S. Indian O., A., Bass St., Madeira, S. Africa.v.r.ocean9.5Like 52, 53, 54, but bill shorter, stouter; head same as back; white face.F. 29. PELECANOIDIDAE (1), DIVING PETRELS, 3 sp.—2(0)A., 1(0)E., 3(1)Nl.1356 Diving-Petrel, Smaller Diving Petrel, Tee-tee,Pelecanoides urinatrix, A., N.Z., Str. of Magellan.r.sheltered bays8Upper black; under white; legs, feet blue; dives; f., sim. Shellfish.F. 30. DIOMEDEIDAE (10), ALBATROSSES, Mollymawks, 19 sp.—13(3)A., 2(0)O., 5(0)P., 5(1)E., 5(0)Nc., 9(3)Nl.71757 Wandering Albatross, Man-of-War-Bird, Cape Sheep, Toroa,Diomedea exulans, S. Oceans up to Lat. 30° S.c.ocean44Upper white with fine zigzag brown lines; wing-quills black; tail short, black above; side face, under white; zigzag lines on side of breast; bill whitish; color varies with age; span up to 14 ft.; f., sim. Jelly-fish, shrimps, shellfish.
52 Broad-billed Dove-Petrel(Blue-), Whale-Bird, Prion,P. vittatus, S. Oceans.
c.ocean11.5
Upper delicate blue-gray; head darker than back; edge shoulder, wing, tip-tail black; under, line over eye, white; flanks blue; broad bill blue tipped black; feet light-blue; f., sim. Cuttlefish.
r.ocean10
Like 52, but bill narrower and paler blue-gray; expanded wings show black marks like letter W. Food as 54.
54 Dove-Petrel, Dove-like-Petrel (-Prion), Whale-Bird (Snow-),P. desolatus, S. Oceans.
c.ocean10.5
Like 52, 53, but more delicate; blackish below eye; white stripe above eye; head same as back; bill straighter, more slender; f., smaller. Shellfish, oily substances.
55 Fairy Dove-Petrel(-Prion), Short-billed (Gould) Blue-Petrel,P. brevirostris (ariel), S. Indian O., A., Bass St., Madeira, S. Africa.
v.r.ocean9.5
Like 52, 53, 54, but bill shorter, stouter; head same as back; white face.
F. 29. PELECANOIDIDAE (1), DIVING PETRELS, 3 sp.—2(0)A., 1(0)E., 3(1)Nl.
13
56 Diving-Petrel, Smaller Diving Petrel, Tee-tee,Pelecanoides urinatrix, A., N.Z., Str. of Magellan.
r.sheltered bays8
Upper black; under white; legs, feet blue; dives; f., sim. Shellfish.
F. 30. DIOMEDEIDAE (10), ALBATROSSES, Mollymawks, 19 sp.—13(3)A., 2(0)O., 5(0)P., 5(1)E., 5(0)Nc., 9(3)Nl.
717
57 Wandering Albatross, Man-of-War-Bird, Cape Sheep, Toroa,Diomedea exulans, S. Oceans up to Lat. 30° S.
c.ocean44
Upper white with fine zigzag brown lines; wing-quills black; tail short, black above; side face, under white; zigzag lines on side of breast; bill whitish; color varies with age; span up to 14 ft.; f., sim. Jelly-fish, shrimps, shellfish.