l68 Macgtli-IVRAV, Xotes on Sea-Birds. [isfTan 



pinions, vcrmiculations across the back, bill either wholly whitish 

 or pale slate. The Black-browed Albatross [T. melanophrys) was 

 exhibited showing a male with the usual yellowish bill, but the 

 female with a black bill ; legs and feet pale slate ; black eyebrow ; 

 head, neck, upper tail coverts, breast, and abdomen white ; upper 

 surface of wings, back, and tail blackish-brown. The Great- 

 winged Petrel {Pterodroma macroptera), all dark slate ; bill and 

 legs black ; no grey face. The Cape Hen (P. cBqiiinodialis), all 

 dark slate except white chin spot ; bill pale slate. 



Dr. Peringuey also informed me that the Sacred Ibis was fairly 

 common in Cape Colony, and bred on the guano islands off the 

 south and west coasts. The Jackass Penguin {Sphemsciis 

 demersHs) breeds on Dassen Island, 50 miles up the west coast. 

 On Dyer's Island, near Cape Agullhas, the following birds breed : — ■ 

 Sterna hergii, Sterna dongalli, Snla capensis, Lams dominiciis, 

 L. hartlatthi, L. cirrhocephalus, Ibis ccthiopica, Spheniscus demersus, 

 three species of Cormorants, and the Rosy Pelican. Most of these 

 guano islands are owned and worked by the Government, and the 

 birds are protected. 



On the morning of the 4th June we made our way out of the 

 harbour. Numbers of Southern Black-backed Gulls made a 

 pretty sight in mature and immature dress. Several Cormorants 

 were in the water or perched on the breakwater. Gannets were 

 numerous over the fishing grounds, flying in the air, plunging into 

 the water, or swimming on the surface. Several Penguins were 

 passed, but they kept mostly under water. The true oceanic 

 birds soon put in an appearance, and increased in numbers as we 

 moved out from the land. 



Several Southern Skuas (C. lonnhergi) followed the ship for a 

 time — the first that we had seen on the return journey. The 

 Cape Hen, all dark slate or black with bluish bill when seen 

 flying ; another Petrel slightly smaller than the Cape Hen, all 

 dark above and below, with light grey under surface of wings ; 

 Black-browed MoUymawk — the bill in this bird is dull yellow 

 ail over, the brow is very conspicuous, legs and feet are light 

 yellowish, upper surface of wings and back dark brown, under 

 surface of wings M'hite, bordered with dark brown. Only a few 

 Prions were to be seen darting and glancing over the waves. 

 After lunch a Wandering Albatross put in an appearance. At 

 the stern one could get a good view of the concourse of birds 

 following for food thrown overboard. Black-browed Molly- 

 mawks were numerous, but only occasional specimens of the 

 Yellow-nosed species {T. chlororhynchus). One Brown Petrel 

 (Priofinus) was seen at a distance, and a few Skuas {Catharacta 

 lonnhergi). Gannets and Prions never followed the ship. 



On 5/6/19 we had a bright day, with moderate following sea 

 and wind. Many birds were about. Black-browed MoUy- 

 mawks were in numbers, a few Wandering Albatrosses, a few 

 Yellow-nosed Mollymawks {T. chlororhynchus), many Cape Hens 

 and Prions, and an occasional Brown Petrel {P. cineretis). By 



