observed in the Western Pacific. 207 



San Lorenzo was filled. Some private communication 

 seemed to exist between San Lorenzo and the Pelicans 

 {Pelecanus niolina) at Old Callao Point, a distance of about 

 three miles ; as immediately after the explosion a small 

 number were seen advancing from there in Indian file, and 

 in less than a quarter of an hour there was an unbroken line 

 of these birds right across. 1 have never seen so many 

 before or since on the coast, but I fancy none went empty 

 away. 



From the 22nd January to the 21st February, when lying 

 at San Lorenzo, the place was singularly free of Gulls and 

 Terns, no Incas were to be seen there nor at Callao, and 

 although I went over the hills to look for Sterna exilis, it was 

 in vain. In February small fry, called here " sardinas,^' 

 appeared in such numbers that I have seen a bucket dipped 

 over the side of a boat into a shoal and lifted out filled with 

 them. We found them an excellent substitute for white- 

 bait; and numbers of Larus serranus and L. franklini came 

 also at this time. In April the " sardinas " appeared 

 again, and were lying on the surface of the water in great 

 patches of dead and dying, being probably killed by the 

 evolution of sulphuretted hydrogen from the bottom, well- 

 known on the coast as " the painter.^^ With them came 

 myriads of Gulls — L. franklini, some in fully adult plumage, 

 and Xema sabinii, adults in winter plumage ; the latter 

 hitherto a great rarity so far south, but here, again. Com- 

 modore Markham had anticipated me in the discovery. 



On the 10th of April no Inca Terns had appeared in the 

 harbour, the local men assuring me that they would be back 

 from their breeding-place very shortly ; and it is worthy of 

 notice that on the 21st April, 1883, they were in crowds in 

 the bay. The Peruvian vessel ' La Union,' wrecked here, 

 seemed to be altogether given up to Cormorants [Phalacro- 

 corax gaimardi and P. brasiliensis). I have often passed it 

 when it has been so closely packed with them that neither on 

 masts nor rigging did there seem standing room for another 

 bird. 



My observations lead me to believe that there is no 



