182 Mr. P. L. Sclater on the American Barbets. 



the eggs 1 got (about twenty-five in number) were either fresh or 

 nearly so. There are hardly any other birds in Round Island, 

 and these two are probably the only species that breed there, with 

 the exception of the small Turtle-Dove [Geopelia striata, Gray), 

 of which I saw a pair — the only land-birds, indeed, I observed. 

 Between Round Island and Mauritius I saw a few Frigate-birds 



[Tachypetes ?), another species of Shearwater [Procellaria 



assimilis of Gould, I think), and a few Noddy Terns {Anoiis 

 stolidus, Leach). These latter are said to breed on Serpent Island, 

 about two miles to the northward of Round Island, whence it 

 looks as if covered with a slight snow-shower — an appearance 

 said to be caused by the dung of the birds. It has only been 

 once or twice visited, and we had not time to go there; be- 

 sides, the landing there is always exceedingly difficult. Round 

 Island for that matter is bad enough, and is only accessible two 

 months in the year. On it there are still the remains of the 

 cave and old stone wall which was built as a shelter by the late 

 Colonel Lloyd when he was there some fifteen or sixteen years 

 ago, and had to stay more than a week on account of a hurri- 

 cane. The present Acting Surveyor-General, to whom the island 

 belongs, and who accompanied me on my visit, was then one of 

 the party. They were thought by all here to have been lost or 

 starved, and a steamer was sent to their relief; but from the 

 number of empty bottles that are left, they could not have done 

 so badly in the drinking way. We were only away one night, 

 that of November 3, and left again the following day at noon ; so 

 we had not much time, and I suppose I shall not be able to get 

 there again for another year. 



XIX, — On the American Barbets (Capitonidaj), 

 By Philip Lutley Sclater. 



(Plate VI.) 



The true Barbets of the tropics of both hemispheres [Capitonidce) 

 have been united by some systematists with the Woodpeckers 

 (Picida), whilst others have mixed them up with the Fissirostral 

 Bucconida or PuflF-birds — a group which cannotcertainly be placed 

 far from the Kingfishers {Alcedinida). Though I agree with the 



