| 629. Sula fusca, Briss. | Vol. VII. Pl. 78. |
“This species of Booby,” says Mr. M’Gillivray, “is generally distributed on the north-east and north coasts of New Holland; but I found it breeding only upon Bramble Key, although I once, on Raine’s Islet, found a solitary egg. The nest is slovenly made of dried herbage, a foot in diameter, with scarcely any cavity, and contains two eggs, of which in every instance one was clean and the other very dirty. The eggs, which are white, vary considerably in size. The largest measured 28
12 inches by 17
12; the smallest 24½
12 by 17½
12, and one of average size, 2½ by 1¾ inches. Both sexes incubate, and the birds while sitting on their eggs allowed of a very near approach, and before flying off disgorged the contents of their stomachs, chiefly a species of Clupea or herring. I need scarcely add that their bite is very severe. During our visits to Darnley Island I observed several tame Boobies among the native villages, generally perched on the canoes hauled up on the beach. These birds were allowed their full liberty, and after fishing in the weirs upon the reefs until they had procured a sufficiency of food, returned to the huts.”
Inhabits the north coast.
| 630. Sula piscator, Linn. | Vol. VII. Pl. 79. |
Inhabits the north coast.
Family COLYMBIDÆ, Leach.
Genus Podiceps, Lath.
There is no country of any extent wherein Grebes are not to be found; and as their wing-powers are very limited, they are mostly stationary.
I have elsewhere remarked how beautifully the European Grebes are represented by those inhabiting Australia, and the truth of this remark will be rendered at once apparent on reference to the Plates of the following species:—
| 631. Podiceps Australis, Gould | Vol. VII. Pl. 80. |
| 632. Podiceps gularis, Gould | Vol. VII. Pl. 81. |