On Birds observed in the Wester' n Pacific. 201 



country ; I have received eggs from Anchoraj near Vianna, 

 where they are specially abundant. At the end of October and 

 November some arrive on passage. 



109. CoRvus FRUGiLEGUSj Liuu. " Gralha.^^ 



The Rook arrives in the autumn^ and remains during 

 winter, going about in large flocks, and leaving in February 

 and March. 



110. CoRVUs coHAX, Linn. '' Corvo.'^ 



Rather common and generally distributed. I have at the 

 present moment a tame Raven, which was sent to me from 

 the province of Algarve. 



[To be continued.] 



XX. — Notes on Birds in the Western Pacific, made in H.M.S. 

 ' Constance,' 1883-5. By J. R. H. MacFarlane, Navi- 

 gating-Lieut., R.N. 



Few parts of the world can be more fraught with disappoint- 

 ment to the ornithologist or entomologist than the inshore 

 passage, known as Smythe's Channel, from the Straits of 

 Magellan to the Gulf of Penas. Rain, hail, and snow 

 succeed each other, the normal state of this region being one 

 of dampness ; but sometimes between the showers a vision 

 of lofty mountains ajjpears in a break of the clouds, or a 

 huge white glacier stands suddenly out in bold relief for a 

 few moments, only to vanish in the mist and raia as quickly 

 as it came. In the brief intervals of fine weather, the snug 

 little harbours look fresh and green, and the heart of the 

 collector is gladdened by the prospect of exploring almost 

 untrodden ground ; but this hope is soon dispelled, for so 

 sparsely populated by animal life is this district, that even 

 one having no special interests in that direction would in- 

 stinctively feel sensible of this great want of animation in the 

 scene. The botanist would probably find a larger field for his 

 researches in the primeval surroundings ; but let him tread 

 with caution the mossy banks which look so attractive, for 

 what seems to be solid ground is frequently only a thin green 



