38 VOYAGES OF A NATURALIST 



Amongst the birds obtained by the last-named 

 expedition were several specimens of a petrel, 

 which Dr. Bowdler Sharpe described as a new 

 species. * 



As we gradually drew near to the island, the 

 " Ninepin," a huge upright column of rock, came 

 into view. This rock is several hundred feet in 

 height, and in shape is much like an enormous 

 tree-trunk. It was at one time undoubtedly of a 

 much larger diameter than now, long exposure to 

 the weather having worn its surface away to such 

 an extent that only the hard central core remains 

 at the present time. 



When we were within a mile or two of the island, 

 we could see that the greater part of it was covered 

 with grass, while against the skyline at the extreme 

 summit a mass of trees could be distinguished. 

 Extending from the summit to the base were many 

 fissures, which formed deep valleys, and these 

 were thickly overgrown with tree-ferns. 



Sea-birds, chiefly large petrels, appeared in 

 numbers, and circled round the ship, while a good 

 many gannets settled in the rigging. 



A strong northerly gale was blowing, and Captain 

 Caws had little hopes of the sea being smooth 



* (Eatrelata Wilsoni Sharpe. " Bulletin Brit. Orn. Club," XII., p. 49 

 (February, 1902) 



This bird has, however, since been found to be identical with (Estrelata 



arminjoniana, Giglioli and Salvadori c/. Godman, "Monograph of 



Petrels," pp. 229-231. Therefore there are but two species of petrels 



inhabiting South Trinidad. 



