100 Mr. B. Alexander — Expedition 



9. NUMIDA MELEAGRIS. 



Breeds in August. 



10. ^GIALITIS CANTIANA. 



On April 5tli we discovered the young o£ this Plover on 

 some waste ground at the mouth of the harbour. The nest 

 was nothing more than a shallow depression, fringed with 

 small stones and flakes of rock. 



11. Calidris arenaria. 



Several birds put in an appearance along the shore of the 

 harbour on April 4th. 



12. Ardea purpurea. 



On April 4th we obtained a fine specimen near a brackish 

 pool close to the harbour. 



13. Ardea cinerea. 



14. Ardea garzetta. 

 Stragglers now and again seen. 



15. SULA FIBER. 



IX. Sao Nicolau. 

 From Sao Vicente we proceeded on April 14th to Sao 

 Nicolau. In its general character and growth in the valleys, 

 it closely resembles Santiago ; the hillsides are, however, 

 more cultivated, being devoted to the growing of yams, and 

 stepped with stones in order to ensure better irrigation. 

 We occupied a house in a very fertile valley just above 

 Stancha, and this we made our headquarters from which 

 to work the island. Owing to the abundance of fish, and 

 the rocky nature of many portions of its shore-line, Sao 

 Nicolau is a favourite resort of the Osprey. This species 

 does not occur round the southernmost islands of the group, 

 and it is only when lat. 16° is reached that the presence of 

 the bird becomes evident. On April 20th, while exploring 

 the northern side of the narrow portion of the island, we 

 discovered several eyries. Long before reaching the locality, 

 we caught sight of a fine bird beating along an open part of 

 the coast. It passed and repassed us several times as we 



