90 Mr. B. Alexander — Expedition 



29. Phaethon ^thereus. 



This Tropic-bird breeds iu small numbers in the sea-clifiFs 

 to the north-east of Praya. 



30. Frbgata aquila. 



One day we observed two Frigate-birds going in the 

 direction of Boavista, where there is a colony. 



IV. Brava. 

 Brava is the smallest inhabited island of the whole group 

 — about six miles long and four broad — and also_, in pro- 

 portioUj the most thickly populated. Being very moun- 

 tainous, volcanic iu nature, and bare of wood-growth, there 

 is hardly a stretch of tableland on the whole island ; the coast 

 is steep and rugged — no shore-line to speak of, except for a 

 short length of low-lying rock near the harbour. Wherever 

 the hillsides are climbable every inch of ground is cultivated, 

 being either sown with maize or planted with yams, while in 

 the valleys there are small sugar- and coffee-plantations, 

 orange-groves, &c. The harbour is small, but ships of con- 

 siderable size can anchor within a few yards of the steep 

 volcanic-looking cliffs. Three miles inland from the harbour, 

 Povacjao^ the principal town, is situated. A fine paved road 

 leads up to it, but is so steep in places that it becomes well- 

 nigh impossible to climb it either on horseback or on donkeys. 

 In the larger valleys monkeys abound, doing much havoc 

 among the sugar-cane. \ 



Lying to the eastward, about nine miles distant, and 

 far exceeding Brava in height, is Fogo. Though almost 

 beyond the range of visibility, on a very clear day it can be 

 seen, a gigantic cone-shaped mass of volcanic rocks towering 

 above the sea, looking, moreovei', impressively grand wli^n 

 bathed in the purple-toned shadows of a sunset. 



V. List of the Birds of Brava. 



1. Neophron percnopterus. 



The precincts of nearly every village are haunted by a pair 

 or two of these Vultures. On March 11th a native boy 

 brought us an adult male caught with a line and fish-hook. 



