4. New Zealand Petrels.

The fifth and concluding part of F. du Cane Godman's “Monograph of the Petrels” has now been received, and it perhaps would be well therefore to add to the extract from the book which I have already made relating to the New Zealand petrels, ^* for the information of workers in this country.

Prion brevirostris Gould (Short-billed Blue Petrel). Plate lxxxv.

“Gould's name for this Prion must be changed, as, although he quotes his description of P. ariel as occurring in a paper published in the ‘Proceedings of the Zoological Society,’ it is not to be found there, and it therefore becomes a nomen nudum. As Professor Reichenow points out, the bird must now be designated P. brevirostris. Although Sir Walter Buller separated the two forms under the names of P. ariel and P. brevirostris, I can see no difference between the type specimen of the latter from Madeira and the ordinary specimens from Australian seas usually called P. ariel.”

Pelecanoides urinatrix Gm. (Diving Petrel). Plate lxxxvi.

This bird appears to be found in the southern part of South America. There is considerable variation in this species, and apparently there is a slight difference in the form found in Australia and the New Zealand form.

Pelecanoides exsul Salvin (Kerguelen Diving Petrel). Plate lxxxvii.

Nestlings from the Chatham Islands are described.

Diomedea exulans Linn. (Wandering Albatros). Plate lxxxix.

A good summary of the history of this difficult species is given. It is our Antipodes Island bird, and its only known nesting-place is on that island.

Diomedia regia Buller (Royal Albatros). Plate xc.

The figure of both this and the previous species appear to me to be capable of improvement.

Diomedea melanophrys Boie (Black-eyebrowed Albatros). Plate xcvii

This very widely-ranging species is well figured.

Diomedea bulleri Rothschild (Buller's Albatros). Plate xcviii.

The description and figure are taken from the type specimen in the Tring Museum obtained from the Snares.

Thalassogeron cautus Gould (Shy Mollymawk). Plate xcix.

Thalassogeron salvini Rothschild (Salvin's Albatros). Plate c

Breeds on Bounty Island.

Thalassogeron culminatus Gould (Grey-headed Albatros). Plate ci.

Mainly in the seas to the south of New Zealand, although stragglers have been recorded from widely separated localities.

Thalassogeron chlorohynchus Gm. (Yellow-nosed Albatros). Plate cii.

The figure makes it easy to separate this from the preceding species.