Page:Transactions NZ Institute Volume 15.djvu/595

Rh Aptenodytes pennanti, "King Penguin."—These build no nest. They lay their single egg anywhere in the rookery, often in running water, and sit over it, tucking it with their feet into the fold in the lower part of their abdomen. The egg is large and much pointed at one end. The young are almost as large as the adults, but are covered with a thick brown coat of down. A few of the females were sitting at the time of my visit. The King Penguins have not been known to migrate.

Eudyptes schlegeli, "Royal Penguin."—More numerous than the other varieties. They build a nest of stones, in which they lay three eggs as a rule. They are said to discard their first egg. The young are coloured like the adults with the exception of the yellow crest. The "Royals" leave tbe island in June, and return in October.

Eudyptes fillioli, "Victoria Penguin."—These also build a nest of stones and lay two or three eggs. Their rookeries are generally among the rocks. The young are coloured like the adults, but have no crests. They, like the "Royals," leave in June and return in October.

Pygoscelis tæniala, "Rockhopper."—A name much more suited to the "Victorias" than to this variety. They have their rookeries amongst the tussock and build nests of grass. Their eggs, of which there are generally two or three, are generally much rounder than those of the other penguins. The young are coloured like the adults. They have not been known to migrate.

Ossifraga gigantea, "Nelly," "Stinkpot."—Lives in rookeries, generally inland. Builds grassy nests, in which are usually two eggs. The females were sitting at the time of my visit.

Phalacrocorax carunculatus, Shag.—Was also incubating. Dr. Buller, who saw my specimen, named it as above.

Prion banksii, "Night-bird."—Makes its nest in burrows under the tussocks, where it can be heard during the day cooing like a dove. It leaves its nest at night and picks up its food at sea, a short distance from the land.

Platycercus novæ-zealandiæ, Parroquet.—Same as New Zealand form. Occurs in great numbers round the shore. Makes its nest under tussocks.

Ocydromus, "Maori Hen."—I only saw one specimen of this bird. Its plumage was of a bright reddish-brown colour.

Rallus macquariensis.—Much smaller than the "Maori hen," and not at all uncommon. There seemed to be two varieties—one, slightly the larger, was reddish in colour, the other was black.

Lestris antarctica, "Sea Hen," "Skua Gull."—Most of the eggs of this gull are hatched by the end of November. The nests are, as a rule, at a considerable elevation above the sea. The adults are as savage and predatory as they are in other parts, and it is not quite safe to go inland without a stout stick.