to the Cape Verde Islands. 105 



the legs and feet is due to age and is of no value as a specific 

 character. 



16. Phalacrocorax lucidus. 



One adult female specimen obtained. 



17. sula fiber. 



18. Strepsilas interpres. 

 Observed on Sao Nicolau. 



XI. The Desert as. 



On April 28th we left Sao Nicolau for the Desertas, in a 

 schooner, a fine old American pilot-boat of nearly eighty 

 tons, which we had chartered at Sao Vicente. 



The small islands known as the Desertas are three in 

 number : Raza, Branca, and Santa Luzia. The two former, 

 devoid of water, are uninhabited ; no hostile influence coming 

 to mar the peace of the many sea-birds that have made them 

 their home, save perhaps at random times when fisherfolk 

 land and employ the day in catching fish. 



Kaza was the first island we visited, and all the time we 

 remained on it the schooner was obliged to beat backwards 

 and forwards, there being no anchorage. Landing is effected 

 with difficulty (at times being wellnigh impossible), and 

 only then on the south side, upon a broad band of low flat 

 rock. This island possesses an area of about three square 

 miles, the larger portion of which is flat, strewn, hoAvever, with 

 stones of all sizes, the boulders in many instances being 

 undermined by Shearwaters; but here and there, amid 

 this expanse of stones, there are patches of smooth ground, 

 toned with fine dead grass, and with a creeping plant bearing 

 a prickly fruit {Tribulus cistoides). On the north side, hills 

 descend abruptly to the sea : while the low flat ground on the 

 south is terminated by an almost perpendicular face of rock, 

 at the most thirty feet in height, and rent with wide fissures 

 and jagged scars. ^ These hollows and caverns are the home 

 of the Tropic- bird {Phaethon cethereus). The entrances to 

 these snug resorts were well whitened, and many of the 

 owners were abroad. With their two long tail-feathers 



