Vol 'l9i^ XV ] Wetmore, Birds of Desecheo Island, P. R. 337 



Annotated List. 



1. Phaethon sp. Tropic Bird. — Bowdish (1902-3, p. 35S) saw 

 Tropic-Birds around Desecheo Island but did not determine to what species 

 they belonged. These birds may have been Phaethon americanus Grant as 

 that is the common species of this region. (Cf. Wetmore, 1916, p. 18). 



2. Sula piscator (Linnaeus). Red-footed Booby. — About two 

 thousand Red-footed Boobies were present on the island at the time of my 

 visit. All were in one colony. (Wetmore, 1916, pp. 18-19). 



3. Sula leucogastra (Boddaert) . Booby. — The Common Booby out- 

 numbered any other species of bird on Desecheo Island at the time of my 

 visit. These Boobies were distributed through the dense brush on the 

 slopes so that it was difficult to arrive at their exact number, but I estimated 

 that from 8,000 to 10,000 individuals were present. The greater part of 

 these birds remained within four hundred feet of the shore, but many spread 

 inland over the entire island ranging to the tops of the hills. The young 

 were all grown, though I saw a few with down feathers clinging to the 

 feathers about the head. Though as strong on the wing as their parents, 

 these immature birds were averse to flying and usually merely scrambled 

 out of the way. The adults were unable to rise from a level surface, and as 

 I passed along the narrow trails many remained stock still snapping and 

 hissing at me. It was wise to avoid their powerful bills as they bit and 

 fought viciously. They flew easily from the branches of low trees and 

 bushes or sailed down from the cliffs until, gaining mometum, they rose 

 with strong wing beats. On the whole they showed little fear and I caught 

 several by pinning them down with the barrel of my gun. Others floun- 

 dered away over the rocks and through the plant growth unmindful of 

 cactus thorns and the rough limestone. Many were seen with thorns or 

 even small lobes of cactus hanging to feet, neck or wings, easily demonstrate 

 ing how these prickly plants might be carried from one island to another. 



On the wing Boobies were strong and graceful. Hundreds swung and 

 circled about my head as I passed through the colonies. Collecting them 

 was an easy matter. It was necessary only to pick out one desirable for a 

 specimen, follow it until it was at a proper distance, and then drop it on 

 the rocks. At a gunshot there was a great rush and commotion among 

 those at rest and the air was filled with birds circling and sailing, that often 

 passed close overhead. Gradually the confusion would cease and the 

 birds would soon be perched all about me. On the rough limestone blocks 

 above the sea they sat in rows and did not drop off until I approached 

 closely. The call-note of the Booby was a loud quack, quack, quack. I saw 

 them fishing far out at sea from the island and birds passed in and out 

 above my camp all through the day. Even at night there was much 

 commotion among them. 



Boobies are said to nest from late in June until October. From the size 

 of many young seen in June I would extend the latter date to February. It 



