  We show that the differences in the magnetic properties of Ni-Pd and Ni-Pt
alloys arise mainly due to relativity. In particular, we find that the local
magnetic moment of Ni increases with the addition of Pd in Ni-Pd while it
decreases with the addition of Pt in Ni-Pt, as found experimentally, only if
relativity is present. Our analysis is based on the effects of relativity on
(i) the spin-polarized densities of states of Ni, (ii) the splitting of
majority and minority spin d-band centers of Ni, and (iii) the separation
between s-d band centers of Pd and Pt in Ni-Pd and Ni-Pt alloys.
