626. Plotus Novæ-Hollandiæ, _Gould_ Vol. VII. Pl. 75.
Four fine species of this genus appertain to the Australian fauna, since they not only frequent the seas adjacent to the shores of that country, but all of them resort to its rocks and islands for the purpose of breeding.
The genus comprises several other species which inhabit the sea coasts of nearly every part of the globe.
627. Sula Australis, _Gould_ Vol. VII. Pl. 76.
Inhabits the southern coast of Australia and Van Diemen’s Land, and is a beautiful representative of the _Sula Bassana_ and _S. melanura_ of Europe.
628. Sula personata, _Gould_ Vol. VII. Pl. 77.
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 2‑8/12 inches by 1‑7/12; the smallest 2‑4½/12 by 1‑7½/12, 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.”
630. Sula piscator, _Linn._ Vol. VII. Pl. 79.
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:—