260 Mr. W. Eagle Clarke on the 



plumage, in which the back is strongly barred with buff and 

 black, and the buff fore-neck finely dusted with grey. In 

 the young birds in life the bill is brownish black and the 

 feet pinkish brown. Many of these Terns were seen in the 

 vicinity of the island. 



Mr. Comer describes this bird as not uncommon at Gough 

 Island, but makes no mention of its breeding there. It has 

 been recorded from Tristan da Cunha. 



5. [Anous stolidis (Linn.). 



This Noddy was apparently not observed by the members 

 of the Expedition. Mr. Comer's collection contained a 

 specimen from Gough Island, and he remarks " quite a 

 number here" (Verrill, t. c. p. 452). It occurs and nests at 

 Tristan da Cunha.] 



[Larus dominicanus Licht. 



This Gull is included in Verrill's lists (t. c. pp. 450 & 

 464) for Gough Island, but no specimens appear to have 

 been obtained there. Mr. Comer remarks that there were " a 

 very few Sea-Gulls; do not think there were more than six 

 around the island." These remarks are supposed by Verrill 

 to refer to this species. It did not come under the notice of 

 the Scottish naturalists, nor does it seem to have been 

 observed at Tristan da Cunha.l 



6. Megalestris Antarctica (Lesson). 



Many Skuas were observed off the island, and two 

 specimens were added to the collection — probably birds of 

 the year, since they shew rufous markings on the mantle, 

 neck, and lesser wing-coverts. 



Under the name of " Sea-Hen," Mr. Comer (Verrill, t. c. 

 pp. 450 & 464) describes them as being " quite plentiful," 

 and commencing to lay at the middle of September. " When 

 the Penguins lay, the Sea-Hens come ashore in large numbers, 

 and get their living by robbing the nests and catching the 

 young Penguins. They also kill the young Albatroses, and all 

 the small birds they can catch." Mr. Comer killed about 300 

 of these birds at Gough Island for the sake of their feathers. 



This is also a common bird at Tristan da Cunha. 



