to the Cape Verde Islands. 113 



12. COTUKNIX COMMUNIS. 



We never obtained an example, but on several occasions 

 came across places where birds of this species had been 

 dusting themselves. 



13. CURSORIUS GALLICUS. 



Well distributed. We met with flocks numbering often 

 over a score on the higher levels, and these consisted chiefly 

 of immature birds, led and watched over, however, by one 

 or two old birds that gave warning to them on the approach 

 of danger. The majority of adult birds were by themselves 

 and in pairs. Towards evening these flocks resorted to plots 

 of ground overgrown with sweet potatoes and maize and 

 enclosed by stone walls. 



These birds afforded excellent shooting, and were by no 

 means bad eating. Fifteen specimens yvere obtained. 



14. Squatarola helvetica. 



On May 9th we flushed a pair of Grey Plovers from a piece 

 of low-lying rock ; they were in full summer-plumage. 



15. Strepsilas interpres. 



16. ^gialitis cantiana. 



17. Numenius arquatus. 



On May 13th, while skirting the coast, the well-known 

 whistling cries of a pair of Curlews attracted our attention. 



18. NUMENIUS PHiEOPUS. 



19. Calidris arenaria. 



In flocks along the sandy portion of the shore-line. 



20. Ardea garzetta. 



A colony of fifteen pairs of Little Egrets exists about 

 three miles north of Sal Rei along the coast, the nests being 

 placed on ledges of rock facing the sea, and ranging from 

 fifteen to twenty feet up. On the 10th of May breeding had 

 only just commenced, but one nest out of a number ready 

 contained two eggs. The nests were rough structures, 

 composed entirely of the thorny twigs of the acacia. 



SER. VII. VOL. IV. I 



