Cheeseman. — On iJirds of the Kermadcc Island.'i. 223 



23. Feigate Bird {Tachypetes aquilus, L.). 



This species is inserted on the authority of Mr. Bell, who 

 states that it frequently visits the group during summer, but 

 is not a permanent resident. 



24. Masked Gaxxet {Sula cijanops, Suud.). 



This handsome bhd is not uncommon all through the 

 Kermadee Group, breeding on Curtis Island, on Haszard 

 Island (a rock off the eastern side of Macaulay Island), and 

 on Meyer Island. I have no information additional to that 

 given in my paper printed in vol. xxi. of the Ti-ansactions, 

 p. 121, where its occurrence in the group was first recorded. 

 Dr. Crowfoot, iu a paper on the sea-bhds frequenting Norfolk 

 Island, printed in the "Ibis" for 1885, states that it usually 

 lays two eggs ; and Mr. Bell, speaking to me of its breeding- 

 station on Meyer Island, made the same statement. But 

 Captain Fairchild, who has brought me several fine specimens 

 from Curtis Island, found only one egg in each nest. 



25. Common Gaxxet iSula scrrator, Bp.). 



In addition to the previous species, Mr. Bell states that 

 another gannet not unfrequently visits Sunday Island. He 

 is confident that it is identical with the New Zealand Sula 

 serrator, and I therefore include it in the hst on his authority. 



26. Teopic Bibd {Phaeton ruhricauda, Bodd.). 



Visits Sunday Island in great numbers for breeding pur- 

 poses, ai'riving about the end of October or beginning of 

 November, and lea^"iug again in June or July. I am indebted 

 to Mr. Bell for several roughly-prepared skins and for eggs. 

 I have also to thank 'Six. Alexander for a beautifully-prepared 

 skin VI full plumage, which is now set up. in the Museum. 

 Mr. Bell informs me that it breeds in holes on the edges of 

 the cliffs, depositing its single egg on the bare floor of the 

 hole. The eggs have a gi'ound-colour of pale reddisli-brown. 

 wliich is thickly covered over with blotches and specks of 

 dark red-brown. The average measurements of four were, 

 length, 2-75in. ; breadth, l-92in. Captain Fairchild has also 

 fotind it breeding still more abundantly on Macaulay Island. 

 On one of his visits he brought back with him two young 

 birds, barely one-third grown. They were most quaint and 

 comical-looking objects, being densely covered with long white 

 down, with a pink flush, and with heads and beaks altogether 

 out of proportion to the size of the body. Their appetite for 

 fish was truly enormous, and it was most amusing to see 

 them swallow with the greatest ease sprats and herrings 

 almost as large as themselves, and yet always be ready for 

 more. 



