152 Short ]Sofice{< of OniUlioloijlval J/ublicLilions. 



wliicli ai-e t'amiliar to most oE. us, but amongst which may 1)6 

 mentioned Antliohaphes violacea (Orange-breasted Sunbird), 

 Chrysomitris totta (South African Siskin), and Procellaria 

 pcJaf/ira (Storm Petrel). 



After proceeding to Durban it was intended to visit 

 Europa Island and other islets in the Mozambique channel, 

 but a heavy cyclonic gale sprung up and prevented any 

 stoppage at these places, the first halt being made at 

 Mayotte, one of the Comoro Islands, which was reached 

 on February 23rd. 



The avifauna of these islands and also of all the numerous 

 strings of islands in this part of the Indian Ocean is extra- 

 ordinarily interesting. Ornithologists very seldom visit them, 

 and it is not surprising to find that Mr. Nicoll was able to 

 describe quite a number of new species. Most of these 

 groups of islands and some individual islands have some 

 indigenous species or, at any rate, well-marked local forms. 



On Mayotte Mr. Nicoll collected specimens of twenty- 

 eight species, including a new Terpsij)hone (Flycatcher) 

 nauKMl lindsayi, and a new Swift, Cypselus mayottensis. 

 On this island the following South African species were 

 found : — 



Corvns scapulatas (Pied Crow). Very common. 



Corythoriiis cyanostif/ma (Malachite Kingfisher). Very 

 common. 



3Ierops peraicus (Blue-cheeked Bee-eater). Very common. 



Falco suhbuteo (Hobby). One specimen. 



Milvvs korsckun (Black Kite). Very numerous. 



Buhulcus ibis (Cattle Egret). Abundant. 



Butorides atricapilla (Green - backed Heron). Fairly 

 numerous. 



? Tartar' capicola damarensis (Damara Turtle Dove). 



? ^"Egialitis maryi7iata jiallida (Tropical White-fronted 

 Sand Plover). 



Dromas ardeola (Crab Plover). Noticed in flocks of from 

 twelve to thirty. 



Numenius phceopns (Whimbrel). Very abundant. 



Niwienius arfjuatns (Curlew). A great many observed. 



