2^2 Scott on the Tello-M-billcd Tropic Bird. [July 



five feet in height from the sea level being pro]:)ably the maxi- 

 mum. This limestone is of course quite porous and at many 

 l)i)ints on the island, north along the coast and inland, are noted 

 caves and caverns of greater or less extent. Along the coast the 

 constant beating of the surf has honey-combed this rather soft 

 rock and the apertures vary from small, shallow indentations to 

 holes of considerable size and depth and occasional caverns of 

 very considerable magnitude, one of which I shall have occasion 

 to describe presently in greater detail. Many of the smaller cav- 

 ities have several openings, and it is in such places that the birds 

 taken seem most attracted to rest and to roost. From my note 

 book I copy the following accounts of three excursions made 

 successively on February 35, 36, and 37 of the present year. 



"• Priestman's River, Jamaica, W. I., February 35, 1S91. — 

 During my stay at ' Boston' I have almost daily seen large white 

 birds flying ofl' shore at short distances, but having no good glass 

 have been unable to identify them. Today Mr. Dugmore went 

 after them and secured ten individuals. He says he saw no other 

 kinds of 'Gulls'. Of ten birds taken eight were shot and two 

 were taken from holes in the cliffs. The females indicate that the 

 breeding season is near, they being about to lay, and it is prob- 

 able that some have already laid." 



"Same locality, February 36, 1S91. — Mr. Dugmore went 

 out today and again saw many Tropic Birds but no other 

 kinds of 'Gulls'. Ten individuals were secured and as be- 

 fore two of these were taken alive from holes in the face of the 

 rocks and eight were shot. All the birds examined yestei'day and 

 those examined today confirm me in my belief that they are act- 

 ually breeding or about to breed. The two individuals taken 

 yesterday alive from the holes in the cliffs, as well as those se- 

 cured in a like manner today, are all males. These birds were 

 taken about ten o'clock in the morning, and were probably rest- 

 ing. Many others were seen going in and out of the holes in 

 inaccessible places. These holes are caused by erosion from the 

 water dashing against the rock, and the cavities preferred seem 

 to be those that are from two to five feet deep, not very high 

 above ordinary high water mark, and such as have two or more 

 openings. 



"I learn from the natives that they are aware that these birds 

 lay their eggs in these places and that they roost in such loca^ 



