274 Mr. F. G. Penrose on a Collection of 



Unwin told liim that^ about September 1876^ several Hawks, 

 which he described as like small Kestrels, frequented the 

 marines' barracks at Georgetown, and might be seen at all 

 hours of the day swooping and dashing round the verandahs. 

 Unfortunately no specimen was secured to determine the 

 species ; but the fact is nevertheless of interest, and shows 

 how such outlying posts ought to be carefully watched, as 

 no bird of prey is known on Ascension. 



Although I can find no record of their presence, yet I think 

 some of the smaller Skuas {Stercorarius) must occasionally 

 visit the island, as they would be able to pick up a most 

 luxurious living amongst the numerous Terns. Kichard- 

 son's Skua, Sterco^^arius crepidatus (Gm.), is known to visit 

 the African coast down to the Cape of Good Hope. 



The summer months in Ascension are from October to 

 January ; and the birds' regular breeding-season is from the 

 middle of December to the end of February. There is com- 

 monly said to be an irregulai'ity in the case of the Wide- 

 awakes [Sterna fuliffino s a) , which, is subsequently mentioned. 

 At this time also the female turtles come up from the sea to 

 deposit their eggs. At this season the island is visited by 

 several species in vast numbers, M'hicli come from all sides to 

 breed ; and even when the migrants have departed, the sur- 

 rounding seas never seem to be quite deserted, owing to the 

 number of resident Gannets, Tropic-birds, and Frigate-birds. 

 The latter feed on small fish, with which they seem to fill their 

 scarlet pouches — pelicanwise ; while crabs form the staple 

 food of the Tropic-birds, and their powerful beaks show that 

 a good -sized crab would have but little chance with them. 



As the birds on the island are not allowed to be ruthlessly 

 destroyed, the consequence is that most of them are very 

 tame, and any specimens wanted can be generally taken by 

 hand. 



The accompanying map of the island will show at a glance 

 the positions of the different breeding-places. 



