532 BIRDS FROM SEYCHELLES AND VICINITY— BTDGWAY. vol. xviii. 



tbe arrival of the flocks of boobies at evening, heavily laden with 

 fish. The old boobies and the 'Oapncins' generally escape, but the 

 young birds, still in the gray dress, are the especial objects of pursuit 

 by the frigates, who nearly always succeed in getting their tish from 

 them. The air is tilled with the screams and cries of the pursuers and 

 pursued." (Abbott, MS.) 



The brown i)hase of this species, known to the Creoles as the Capucin, 

 was, according to Dr. Abbott's notes, represented by a few pairs on 

 Aldabra, but on Gloriosa Island bred in considerable numbers. 



Family FEEGATID.E. 

 24. FREGATA AQUILA MINOR (Gmelin.) 



Three specimens, October 11-13. 



"Very common. Breeding in colonies of many thousands in the man- 

 groves. Also abundant in Gloriosa, Found eggs to be plentiful in 

 November. Some of the birds seen appear to be the greater frigate, 

 but there seems to be all gradations of size between the two forms. On 

 February 10, 1893, when off the Amirantes, I observed several frigates 

 and boobies catching flying tish, which were flying about in great num- 

 bers, pursued by shoals of bonito. The boobies were by far the most 

 expert, rarely missing a tish, while the latter generally succeeded in 

 escaping from the frigates, either by outflyiug them or else by dropping 

 back into the Avater just as the frigate came up with them." (Abbott, MS.) 



Family PHAETONTID^E. 



25, PHAETON CANDIDUS, Drapiez. 



One specimen, October 24, 



"Creole name, '•PaiUe en queue.'' Breeds in holes in the coral rock in 

 lifovember. Lays one egg, placed on the bare ground." (Abbott, MS.) 



Family COLUMBID.F, 



26. TURTUR ALDABRANUS, Sclater. 



Six specimens, September 30-JSrovember 18, 



"Very common, especially on He Picard, and extremely tame. 

 Coming by hundreds around the house, even coming in doors and eat- 

 ing out of one's hand. Builds among the mangroves, where several 

 nests were found." (Abbott, MS.) 



27. ALECTRCENAS SGANZINI (Verreaux). 



Six specimens, October 3-December 8. 



"This species, similar or identical with that of Madagascar, does not 

 appear to be very common. Its presence or absence is regulated by 

 the supply of food, being esi)ecially attracted by the hard fleshy fruit 



