BOOBY ISLAND. 365 



Mound-bird {Megapodius tumulus), a Bee-eater (Merops ornatus), 

 a Zosterops (Z. luteus), very like Z. flaviceps of Fiji, a Pachy- 

 cephalia, a Kingfisher [Halcyon sancta), and a thrush-like bird, 

 of which I saw only one specimen. 



The Pigeon seems to be a permanent resident in the island. 

 The Megapodius astonished me most ; I did not know that the 

 bird possessed powers of flight sufficient to take it to such an 

 island; it must have been migrating. The fact no doubt 

 explains the occurrence of species of Megapodius in various 

 Pacific Islands. The quails are present at some times in Booby 

 Island in enormous numbers'. On August 13th, 1841, the 

 officers of the " Beagle " shot on it 145 quails, 18 pigeons, 12 

 rails of two species, and three pigeons.* 



The Dove and the Bail were here for the first time procured 

 by Mr. Bynoe, and named by Gould from Booby Island speci- 

 mens. It is the last place in the world, as viewed from the sea, 

 with clouds of Boobies hovering over it, from which one would 

 expect two new land-birds to hail. Our officers laughed at the 

 notion of there being Quails or anything to shoot upon it. The 

 officer of the " Beagle " found a native grave on the island. 

 There are several caves on the island, in one of which a store 

 of provisions is kept for shipwrecked seamen. The caves are 

 now several feet above high water-mark, and possibly they point 

 to a slight elevation of the island. 



* " Discoveries in Australia. Also An Account of Capt. Owen Stanley's 

 Visits to the Islands of the Araf nra Sea," Vol. II, p. 329. By J. Lort Stokes, 

 Commander, R.N. London, Boone, 29, New Bond Street, 1846. 



