480 ME. H. N. RIDLEY ON THE 



oval autl blunt at both ends, 2^ inches long, and about 1 inch 

 through in tlie thickest part, chalky-white in colour, marked 

 somewhat sparingly with underlying ash-grey, and overlying 

 sienna. A living young bird from the nest was brought to me, 

 but soon died.—lf. iV. S.] 



5. GiGJS CANDIDA (Gill.); Sharpe, t. c. p. 465. 



One adult and two youug birds. The latter are white like 

 the old birds, but have much smaller bills. 



[This is a common bird in many parts of the island, nesting 

 in trees, especially those of the Sapate, where there ia a colony 

 near that of the Anous. The bird is called " Viuva bianca." — 

 H. N. i?.] 



Fam. PELECANIDiE. 



6. Phaethon ^thekeus {L.); Scl. 4' ^(tlv. Nomencl. Av. 

 p. 124. 



Of this Tropic-bird two specimens were procured. It is 

 common on the island, nesting on the Peak and on other rocks 

 and cliffs. An egg was obtained on St. Michael's Mount. Tlie 

 birds were taken iu snares by the convicts. 



7. SULA LEUCOCIASTRA. 



An adult and a young bird. This species of Gannet, known 

 as "Mbebu," is a common biixl, nesting on cliffs on all the 

 islands. The young are pure white. 



Besides these birds we saw several of which no specimens 

 were procured. Tachj/petes aquila was abundant, nesting on St. 

 Michael's Mount, and a small species of Albatros appeared several 

 times round the island, but kept well out of gun-shot. Three 

 sj)ecies of Waders were seen : — One, a small Plover, of w^hich we 

 twice saw a flock at San Antonio Bay, and once or twice single 

 birds flying along the coral-reefs ; a bird resembling a Yellow- 

 shank, grey and white, of which a pair appeared at San Antonio 

 at the end of our visit ; and a single specimen of a Sandpiper, at 

 the same spot and time. These wading birds were all very shy, 

 in marked contrast to the endemic species, which suggested that 

 they w'ere migrants, and had come from the mainland, where they 

 are more cautious at the sight of man. The last two species 

 appeared on the same day towards the end of our visit, wliich 

 confirmed the view that thev 'nere migrating. 



