from the Antipodes. 247 



the ocean but little traversed, namely that between Adelaide 

 and Table Bay. 



From Adelaide to Cape Leuwin, which we rounded on the 

 19th October, we saw but very few birds. An occasional Alba- 

 tros (Diomedea melanophrijs) or Mutton-bird flew round the ship, 

 and then left us. The weather was fine, with a westerly wind ; 

 but after rounding the Leuwin, we fell in with a gale from the 

 north-east. On the 25th, in lat. 30°, long. 107°, we lost sight 

 of our last bird, an Albatros, and saw no more till the 8th of 

 November — an interval of fourteen days, during which we picked 

 up the south-east trade-wind and crossed into the tropic of 

 Capricorn. On the 8th, being in lat. 22° 15', long. 80° 18', and 

 960 miles from Rodriguez Island (the nearest land), six Tropic- 

 bii-ds crossed over the ship, flying to the northward. This 

 species, the Phaeton phoenicurus, breeds on Rodriguez and 

 on some islands to the north of Mauritius. On one of these 

 (Round Island, a curious volcanic boulder) I spent three days at 

 the end of the year 1856, on purpose to inspect their nidification. 

 They build among the rocks, at a considerable elevation, on the 

 north-western side. The males and females sit indiscriminately 

 on their one large egg, which is of a pale pink-purple ground, 

 with dark specks ; axis 2 inches 6 lines, diam. 1 inch 9 lines *. 

 I procured very many, quite fresh, but found that they faded 

 to a dirty purple on being blown or exposed to the light. The 

 eggs are laid on the bare ground, without any nest. The young 

 bird is white, barred minutely with black. 



On this island I also procured the eggs of Puffinus cinereus, 

 which breeds in holes, and those of the Black-and-white Noddy 

 [Onychoprion fuUginosus) and of a Gannet. Those of the former 

 measure, axis 2 inches 6 lines, diam. 1 inch 6 lines, and are of a 

 dull white colour. The Noddy lays its brown-mottled egg on 

 the bare ground. 



On the 11th we crossed the tropic in lat. 23° 30', long. 72°; 

 and on the 12 th were visited by a pair of Mother Cary^s Chicken 

 [Thalassidroina wilsoni). 



15th, Saturday. — Again today some Mother Cary's Chicken. 

 We are in lat. 24°, long. 75° 30'; and on the 16th, when 110 

 * Another specimen measures, axis 3 inches 1 line, diam. 2 inches. 



