On a Visit to Dassen Island. 519 



and making progress difficult. As these birds fly tlicy utter 

 a liigli-[)itched note like " teep, teep/^ The bird I sliot was 

 settled ou a broad grass-blade just off the side of the road. 

 It was in the company of anothei^ and I waited there for 

 some time in hopes of obtaining this one also^ but I did 

 not get a chance. I saw it several times flash across tlic 

 road^ uttering its ''teep, teep ^^ ; but I do not profess to be 

 able to shoot rocketing Humming-birds. Once it settled 

 on the telephone-wire, but would not allow a close enough 

 approach fur my small charge. 



I saw a few Eulampis holosericeus, but having already -f 

 obtained this species in Dominica, I did not molest them 

 further than to shoot one specimen to make sure of its 

 identity. This one was too much smashed to be of any 

 use as a specimen. 



In concluding these notes I must express a hope that some 

 one more learned than myself will corroborate my views as 

 to the colouring of the plumage in the difterent sexes of 

 Thalurania icayleri. I must also tender my best thanks to 

 Sir Henry Blake, Governor of Jamaica, Mr. Templar, Ad- 

 micistrator of Dominica, and Sir Charles Bruce, Governor of 

 the Windward Islands, for their kind permit to collect birds; 

 also to Dr. Nicholls, of Dominica, for tlie loan of all his 

 books on West-Indian avifauna, which I found most useful 

 during my stay in Dominica. 



XLVI. — A Visit to Dassen Island, the home of the Jackass 

 Penyuin. By W. L. Sclatek, M.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., 

 J)irector, South African iMuseum. 



In Cape Town and its neighbcmrhood may frequently be seen 

 Malays and other coloured men carrying large green eggs, 

 which they sell to the inhabitants at about two shillings a 

 dozen. These eggs are the product of the Biack-footcd 

 or Jackass Penguin {Sjjheniscus deinersus\ the only member 

 of this group of birds found on the South African coast. 

 They are brought to Cape Town chiefly from Dassen Island, 



