284 Ornithology of the Cape Verde Islands. 



NUMIDA MELEAGRIS. 



The Guinea-fowls were breeding on Sao Nicolau in 

 November. The almost inaccessible parts of the highest 

 hills were their strongholds. Every morning and evening 

 the pairs congregated and came down on to the lower ground, 

 only to fly back again at the slightest noise. Throughout 

 the day they sheltered themselves from the heat behind 

 boulders and clumps of bushes that grow on the summits. 

 We found that the Black Kite preyed to a great extent on 

 their young, as well as on those of the Quail. 



PUFFINUS MARIiE. 



While on Raza we found that this Shearwater had young. 

 The eggs are laid in September, and should the first be 

 taken another is laid. Albinism occurs in this species, but 

 unfortunately I arrived on the scene too late to prevent the 

 destruction by some fishermen of a perfect albino specimen. 

 However, we managed to obtain several specimens which 

 exhibit a distinct tendency towards albinism. During the 

 two weeks we stayed on Raza over 3000 of these Shear- 

 waters were captured by the fishermen, who prepared them 

 for food. 



Migratory Species. 



The eastern islands of the archipelago — Sal, Boa Vista, 

 and Maio — appear to receive by far the greatest number of 

 migrants. Although the Little Egret {Ardea garzetta) is a 

 local breeding-species on the islands, the majority of the 

 birds observed are migrants. These are to be seen up to 

 the end of April, and it is probable they return again in the 

 autumn, but they certainly do not winter in the archipelago. 



I take the following notes from my diary : — 



October 7th. A Montagu's Harrier circling above the 

 little island of Branca, also a party of Turnstones (immature 

 birds) on the low rocks fringing the sea. 



October 18/A. Some more Turnstones close to the harbour 

 on Boa Vista, also three Whimbrels and a pair of Lesser 

 Black-backed Gulls. 



October 29t/i. While reconnoitring the pools close to 



